Champions League round of 16 scenarios: What Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barca, Arsenal and more need to advance
The round of 16 is officially underway in the UEFA Champions League with several teams halfway to a spot in the quarterfinals after first-leg action. Arsenal, Aston Villa and Real Madrid all carry advantages heading into next week’s second leg, though some leads are bigger than others. The Gunners beat PSV 7-1 on Tuesday and all but have a spot booked in the next round, while Real Madrid’s 2-1 lead over Atletico Madrid is no guarantee that they will win the tie. On Wednesday, four other teams earned first-leg advantages — Inter, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Liverpool.
Away goals no longer count in the Champions League, while the possibility of a penalty kick shootout looms for each team if the aggregate score is deadlocked after 120 minutes in the second leg.
Start your day with the perfect blend of news and analysis from the world’s game with the Morning Footy podcast. Download and follow Morning Footy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!
As the countdown to the second legs begins, here’s what each team needs heading into next week’s action.
First leg score: Feyenoord 0, Inter 2
Inter made the most of their business trip to Rotterdam, coming out with a two-goal win thanks to strikes from Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez. The visitors could have had a third but Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther made a stop on Piotr Zielinski’s second-half penalty, a play that could prove crucial if the Dutch side are able to mount a comeback in Italy next week.
Feyenoord second-leg scenarios: Feyenoord will need a two-goal win to send the game to extra time and a three-goal win to advance outright.
Inter second-leg scenarios: Inter will advance with a win, draw or one-goal loss.
First leg score: Bayern Munich 3, Bayer Leverkusen 0
Harry Kane gave Bayern the advantage after just nine minutes, but the hosts were able to pad their lead in the second half after a series of mistakes from Leverkusen. Within the span of 20 minutes, Leverkusen’s goalkeeper Matej Kovar gifted Jamal Musiala a goal, Nordi Mukiele was sent off for going studs up on Kingsley Coman, and Edmond Tapsoba conceded a penalty just minutes after coming on.
Bayern Munich second-leg scenarios: Bayern Munich will advance with a win, draw or two-goal loss.
Bayer Leverkusen second-leg scenarios: Bayer Leverkusen need a three-goal win to send the game to extra time and a four-goal win to win the tie outright.
First leg score: Benfica 0, Barcelona 1
Barcelona went down to 10 after just 22 minutes through Pau Cubarsi’s red card, but survived a flurry of chances from Benfica and benefitted from Raphinha’s second-half goal to give them a narrow first leg advantage. In the end, Benfica outshot Barcelona 26 to 10 but the expected goal margin was narrower – Benfica had 1.9 expected goals, while Barcelona posted just 1.19.
Benfica second-leg scenarios: Benfica need a one-goal win to send the game to extra time and a two-goal win to advance outright.
Barcelona second-leg scenarios: Barcelona will advance with a win or a draw.
First leg score: Paris Saint-Germain 0, Liverpool 1
Paris Saint-Germain outperformed Liverpool in an impressive showing for the youth-focused side, taking 27 shots to the Reds’ two. Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson made nine saves, though, to keep PSG at bay and then Harvey Elliott gave the visitors the win with a goal in the 87th minute – and through the team’s only shot on target.
Paris Saint-Germain second-leg scenarios: Paris Saint-Germain need a one-goal win to send the game to extra time and a two-goal win to advance outright.
Liverpool second-leg scenarios: Liverpool need a win or draw to advance.
First-leg result: Club Brugge 1, Aston Villa 3
Club Brugge may have an argument for being the better team in Tuesday’s first leg after outshooting Aston Villa 11 to seven, but the visitors benefitted from an own goal from Brandon Mechele and a penalty scored by Marco Asensio to carry a healthy lead into the second leg. Villa remain the favorites to advance out of this tie and make their first Champions League campaign in four decades a special one by reaching the quarterfinals.
Club Brugge second-leg scenarios: Club Brugge will need a two-goal win to send the game to extra time, and a three-goal win to advance outright.
Aston Villa second leg scenarios: Aston Villa can advance with a win, draw or a one-goal loss.
First-leg result: Real Madrid 2, Atletico Madrid 1
The two Madrid teams traded opportunities throughout the first half, with the teams going into the break with a goal each thanks to strong individual efforts from Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. Los Blancos’ Brahim Diaz, though, scored the game-winner shortly after the break and the reigning champions steadily closed the game out.
Real Madrid second leg scenarios: Real Madrid will advance with a win or a draw.
Atletico Madrid second leg scenarios: Atletico Madrid need a one-goal win to send the game to extra time and a two-goal win to advance outright.
First leg score: PSV 1, Arsenal 7
Arsenal were as efficient as it gets in front of goal in Eindhoven, putting seven past the hosts and taking all the pressure off them in the second half. The Gunners managed the high-scoring game despite generating just 1.96 expected goals, and Martin Odegaard was a standout with two goals and an assist.
PSV second leg scenarios: PSV need a six-goal win to send the game to extra time, and a seven-goal win to advance outright.
Arsenal second leg scenarios: Arsenal will advance with a win, draw or even a loss by as many as five goals.
First leg score: Borussia Dortmund 1, Lille 1
In the only deadlocked first-leg result from Tuesday, last year’s finalists Borussia Dortmund were unable to preserve their first half over Lille, who were one of the surprise teams to earn a spot in the league phase’s top eight. Both sides will have all to play for next week when Lille will host as they aim for their deepest-ever run in the Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund second leg scenarios: Borussia Dortmund need to win in order to advance outright.
Lille second leg scenarios: Lille need to win in order to advance outright.
© 2004-2025 CBS Interactive. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc.
The content on this site is for entertainment purposes only and CBS Sports makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. There is no gambling offered on this site. This site contains commercial content and CBS Sports may be compensated for the links provided on this site.
Images by Getty Images and Imagn
Second-leg matches will take place on March 11 and 12
Feyenoord vs. Inter
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Benfica vs. Barcelona
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool
Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
PSV vs. Arsenal
Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille
Our Latest Soccer Stories
Champions League scenarios for the round of 16
Man United vs. Arsenal expert picks, prediction, bets
When was last time Nottingham Forest made UCL?
Bay FC backs coach Montoya amid NWSL investigation
Brentford vs. Aston Villa odds, picks, prediction
Why Chelsea are in danger of missing UCL qualification
Are USA Soccer and Mexico still co-bidding for WWC?
CBS SPORTS STAFF • 3 MIN READ
CHUCK BOOTH • 3 MIN READ
PARDEEP CATTRY • 4 MIN READ
CBS SPORTS STAFF • 3 MIN READ
CHUCK BOOTH • 4 MIN READ
SANDRA HERRERA • 2 MIN READ
Champions League knockout rounds: bracket, format, fixtures
The round of 16 of the new-look UEFA Champions League gets underway on March 4.
But how do the knockout rounds all knit together? And why were those final league phase positions so important?
Here’s how it all works.
The clubs that finished in the top eight went directly through to the round of 16.
The 16 teams that finished in positions nine to 24 entered the knockout playoff round, with eight advancing to the round of 16.
Arsenal
Aston Villa
Atlético Madrid
Barcelona
Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich (KO-PO)
Benfica (KO-PO)
Borussia Dortmund (KO-PO)
Club Brugge (KO-PO)
Feyenoord Rotterdam (KO-PO)
Internazionale
Lille
Liverpool
Paris Saint-Germain (KO-PO)
PSV Eindhoven (KO-PO)
Real Madrid (KO-PO)
Clubs finishing 25th to 36th had already been eliminated.
The seeded teams, on the right, will be at home in the second leg.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Liverpool
Club Brugge vs. Aston Villa
Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid
PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal
Benfica vs. Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund vs. Lille
Bayern Munich vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Feyenoord vs. Inter Milan
First legs: March 4-5
Second legs: March 11-12
Each club plays once on a Tuesday and once on a Wednesday.
As of this season, there is no draw to create the quarterfinal and semifinal fixtures. It’s all been set by the final league positions (see more below), plus the limited draws to place teams into the bracket.
It means every team now knows their possibility opponents — and who they can’t come up against — right through to the final.
The top half of the knockout playoff round bracket looks stronger, with Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, PSG and Real Madrid in it.
Arsenal would play the winners of the Madrid derby in the quarterfinals,
The bottom half, on paper, appears much weaker with Barcelona the standout team.
Correct. Clubs from the same country can play each other from the knockout playoff round onward. That’s why we have a Madrid derby in the round of 16.
QUARTERFINALS
First legs: April 8-9
Second legs: April 15-16
SEMIFINALS
First legs: April 29-30
Second legs: May 6-7
FINAL
May 31, Allianz Arena, Munich
The tie listed first plays at home in the first leg.
QUARTERFINALS
Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool vs. Club Brugge or Aston Villa
PSV Eindhoven or Arsenal vs. Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid
Benfica or Barcelona vs. Borussia Dortmund or Lille
Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen vs. Feyenoord or Inter Milan
SEMIFINALS
PSV Eindhoven / Arsenal / Real Madrid / Atletico Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain / Liverpool / Club Brugge / Aston Villa
Benfica / Barcelona / Borussia Dortmund / Lille vs. Bayern Munich / Bayer Leverkusen / Feyenoord / Inter Milan
The league placings created the knockout bracket, and the new “seeding” system means the highest-placed teams can’t face each other until the latter stages of the knockout round.
For instance, if we look at the final table, Liverpool and Barcelona finished first and second and can’t play each other until the final. The teams in third and fourth — Arsenal and Internazionale — can’t play Liverpool or Barcelona until the semifinals.
However, the value of being placed high in the table has been complicated by poor European seasons for Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, who unexpectedly became possible opponents earlier in the knockout rounds.
Indeed, with Man City finishing 22nd, it created a heavyweight tie in the knockout playoff round, as they had to face 11th-place Read Madrid.
PSG, meanwhile, have to come up against either Liverpool in the round of 16.
Gemma Soler joins “ESPN FC” to provide an update on the postponement of Barcelona’s game vs. Osasuna following the passing of their team doctor. (1:38)
BARCELONA, Spain — Barcelona’s LaLiga game against Osasuna on Saturday was postponed 20 minutes before kickoff following the unexpected death of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro García.
Miñarro García, 53, joined Barça in 2017 and had been working with the first team since last summer having previously worked with the futsal side.
“Barcelona are deeply saddened to announce the passing of first-team doctor Carles Miñarro García this evening,” the club said in a statement.
“For this reason, the match against Osasuna has been postponed and will be rearranged for a later date.
“The Barcelona board of directors and all staff extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Sources told ESPN that Barça players learned of Miñarro García’s death when they arrived at the Olympic Stadium for the fixture against Osasuna.
The team unanimously agreed that the best thing to do was request the postponement of the match, to which LaLiga agreed.
“We are in a state of shock,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta said in a video released by the club. “Carles was loved by everyone. As you can imagine, we are all extremely sad.
“He was someone who travelled with the team for every game to look after the players and the staff. He never said ‘No’ to anyone. He was a great professional and a great medic.
“We were quickly in touch with his family. We wanted them to know immediately. Carles leaves behind two kids, Gerard and Anna. His wife, as you can imagine, is deeply upset.
“We offer them our full support in this difficult moment, while asking for the understanding from our supporters and the world of football [for postponing the game].
“Out of respect for Carles, his family, the players and the staff, we thought it was best to suspend the match and we took the necessary decision in the moment.
“We were in contact with the president of LaLiga [Javier Tebas] and there was complete understanding. Osasuna also behaved extraordinarily; there was comprehension from their president, directors and coach.”
Most supporters were already inside the stadium when the decision was taken to call the game off.
At first there was uncertainty as the players didn’t come out to warm up, with an announcement arriving 20 minutes before the game was due to begin that it had been suspended.
The same announcement then followed in English, and a short statement was put up on the big screen explaining why the game would not go ahead on Saturday, with fans respectfully making their way to the exits.
“It’s hard to believe and accept everything that has happened,” midfielder Dani Olmo said. “Carles, thank you very much for everything you have helped me with, not only this year, but throughout my entire career.
“You will be greatly missed and you will always be remembered in our hearts, and in the hearts of my family. RIP Doc.”
“Always in our hearts, Doc,” midfielder Gavi posted on Instagram. “We will miss you a lot.”
“I still can’t believe it,” teammate Pedri wrote. “Sending a huge hug to all of Carles’ family and friends.”
Defender Ronald Araújo said on X: “It’s hard to believe. Rest in peace, Doc. Sending strength to Carles’ family and friends. May God strengthen your hearts in this difficult time.”
The game with Osasuna will take place at a later date yet to be confirmed.
Barcelona currently lead LaLiga, one point clear of Atlético Madrid and three ahead of Real Madrid.
English Premier League
LALIGA
ESPN
Which clubs are in the round of 16?
EDITOR’S PICKS
Europa League knockouts: Find out the path to the final in Bilbao
3dDale Johnson
The battle for extra Champions League places: Premier League, LaLiga now firm favourites
3dDale Johnson
What was the round of 16 draw?
What are the round of 16 fixture dates?
How does the bracket work?
So there’s no country protection?
What dates are the other rounds?
Who gets home advantage in the quarterfinals and semifinals?
Why did it matter where you finished in the table?
All three English teams are on track to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa all recorded victories away from home in their last-16 first-leg matches.
Premier League leaders Liverpool snatched a late winner to beat Paris St-Germain 1-0 in Paris on Wednesday, despite a dominant performance from the hosts.
It was the first time Liverpool have faced PSG since 2018-19, when the Reds went on to be crowned champions of Europe for the sixth time.
The winners of that tie will face Aston Villa or Club Brugge in the quarter-finals, with Unai Emery’s side 3-1 up after the first leg in Belgium.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are all-but certain to reach the last eight having thrashed PSV 7-1 away on Tuesday. The Gunners will meet record 15-time winners Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarters.
“It’s a massive result away from home in a competition that we love, that we miss for so many years,” Gunners manager Mikel Arteta told Prime Video.
“This was a really special night for us.”
Holders Real – who eliminated Manchester City in the knockout-phase play-offs – edged out local rivals Atletico 2-1, while Lille hit back to claim a 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund.
Ten-man Barcelona secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Benfica in Lisbon while 2023 finalists Inter Milan beat Feyenoord 2-0 and Bayern Munich comfortably overcame Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.
The last-16 second-leg ties take place on 11 and 12 March.
Highlights of every Champions League game are available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
Club Brugge v Aston Villa (1-3 on agg) – Second leg: 12 March (20:00)
Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (2-1 on agg) – Second leg: 12 March (20:00)
Borussia Dortmund v Lille (1-1 on agg) – Second leg: 12 March (17:45)
PSV Eindhoven v Arsenal (1-7 on agg) – Second leg: 12 March (20:00)
Feyenoord v Inter Milan (0-2 on agg) – Second leg: 11 March (20:00)
Paris St-Germain v Liverpool (0-1 on agg) – Second leg: 11 March (20:00)
Bayern Munich v Bayer Leverkusen (3-0 on agg) – Second leg: 11 March (20:00)
Benfica v Barcelona (0-1 on agg) – Second leg: 11 March (17:45)
Premier League leaders Liverpool took a slim one-goal advantage away from their last-16 first leg against French champions PSG and the second instalment promises to be equally intriguing.
PSG had looked to be heading out of the competition in the league phase before a late run of form saw them finish 15th.
They lost to Arsenal before defeating Manchester City to set up an all-France knockout phase play-off with Brest which they won 10-0 on aggregate.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted his side were “lucky” to have secured a first-leg advantage, having been second-best throughout. PSG had 27 shots against the Reds but could not beat the visitors’ inspired goalkeeper Alisson.
“If we had had a draw over here we would already be the lucky one. They were the much better team,” Slot said.
If Liverpool overcome PSG, then they look likely to face Villa in the quarter-finals in April, with the 1982 European Cup winners in the driving seat against Club Brugge.
“We are not in the quarter-final,” said Villa boss Emery.
“There’s still 90 minutes to play. We’re ready in case we need extra time and penalties because I know how difficult it is in each match and how we can change one match in 90 minutes.
“They won against Atalanta 3-1 and they compete very well. There are still 90 minutes to play.”
Each country’s league earns a coefficient ranking based on how their teams perform in Uefa’s three men’s club competitions: the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.
Coefficient points are earned through match results – two for a win and one for a draw.
The points earned by clubs from the same domestic league are added up and divided by the number of clubs the league has in Europe.
For example, if the Premier League had 100 points, that would be split by the number of teams playing in Europe (seven), giving England a coefficient of 14.28.
This season, bonus points are available to clubs playing in the Champions League, which is advantageous to leagues with more clubs competing in it, such as Germany and Italy.
Countries that finish in the coefficient table’s top two earn an additional Champions League spot for the following season.
Those spots are awarded to the teams who finish in the first position below the standard Champions League allocation in those leagues.
In the Premier League, the top four clubs automatically qualify for the Champions League via league position, so any additional place would go to the team in fifth.
Additional spots for the 2024-25 Champions League were given to Bologna and Borussia Dortmund, who finished fifth in Serie A and the Bundesliga respectively.
Manchester City’s defeat by Real Madrid is the only blot on the landscape for England, with Spain in third place for now.
However, Italy, who are second, endured a dismal time in February with AC Milan, Atalanta and Juventus all losing in the Champions League knockout play-off round – limiting Serie A’s opportunity to gather more points.
Germany’s prospects appear difficult with Bayern Munich and Dortmund in the same half of the Champions League draw.
Likewise France. Paris St-Germain and Lille are the representatives remaining in the Champions League, with Monaco and Brest exiting at the play-off stage. Lyon, in the Europa League, are the only other French side left in European competition.
Portugal has two of its five teams remaining but lost Sporting and Porto in the Champions League and Europa League play-offs.
England could end up with seven Champions League teams next season.
The winners of the Europa League, as well as the Champions League, are granted a spot.
Under previous rules, any single league could only have a maximum of five clubs in the Champions League. However, that rule has been scrapped.
This season, any team who win the Europa League or Champions League but do not qualify for the Champions League via their domestic league position will go into the Champions League.
This raises the possibility of Manchester United or Tottenham, both through to the knockout stage of the Europa League but languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, qualifying for the Champions League alongside the top four or five.
Latest Champions League table
Champions League scores & fixtures
Follow the latest Champions League news
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.
