Champions League nights are never short on drama, and this round proved it once again! Bayern Munich secured a thrilling last-minute win over Celtic to reach the last 16. Along with them, Club Brugge and Benfica advanced after intense clashes. However, AC Milan’s European dreams came to an end following a tough draw with Feyenoord.
Bayern Munich entered their second leg with a comfortable lead, but things quickly turned tense at home. Despite a near miss from Kane, who hit the bar, it was Celtic who shocked the home crowd by taking the lead. Kuehn, a former Bayern player, capitalized on a defensive blunder from Kim Min-jae, giving Celtic a 1-0 advantage.
As the clock ticked down, it looked like Bayern might be headed to extra time. But in the dying moments, Alphonso Davies delivered a dramatic equalizer, sealing Bayern’s 3-2 victory on aggregate. The last-minute goal was enough to send them through, leaving everyone eager to see who they will face next – either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid.
AC Milan, seven-time European champions, faced a tough task against Feyenoord at the San Siro. The match ended 1-1, and Feyenoord progressed with a 2-1 aggregate win. Milan’s hopes were dashed when Gimenez scored early for Feyenoord, leveling the aggregate score. A red card for Milan’s Hernandez made the task even harder, and Feyenoord capitalized on the advantage. Carranza’s goal sealed the deal for Feyenoord, despite a red card for their own player, Read. Milan’s European campaign ended in disappointment, while Feyenoord advances to face either Inter Milan or Arsenal next.
Benfica secured their spot in the last 16 with a 3-3 draw at home against Monaco. Thanks to their 4-3 aggregate score, Benfica moves on to the next round. The match was full of twists: Akturkoglu put Benfica ahead, and Monaco responded with goals from Minamino and Seghir to tie the score. A penalty from Pavlidis and an equalizer from Monaco’s Ilenikhena kept the game tied, but Kokcu’s late goal sealed Benfica’s progression.
Next up for Benfica: they may face Barcelona or Liverpool in the upcoming rounds. It’s clear that Benfica’s resilience was on full display in this nail-biting encounter.
Club Brugge had a historic night in Italy, stunning Atalanta with a 3-1 victory. Talbi was the hero, scoring twice, while Jutgla added another for Brugge. Their overall 5-2 win showed their dominance, as they capitalized on Atalanta’s defensive lapses. Despite Atalanta’s 29 shots on goal, Brugge’s counter-attacks were too much to handle. Lookman scored for Atalanta, but it wasn’t enough. Atalanta’s night got worse with a missed penalty and a red card for captain Toloi. Brugge’s performance was a testament to their strength, and they now look ahead to a potential match-up with Lille or Aston Villa.
As the Champions League progresses, the excitement continues to build. Bayern Munich’s last-minute heroics, Feyenoord’s triumph, Benfica’s nail-biting draw, and Brugge’s remarkable performance have set the stage for an even more thrilling next round. Who will come out on top? Stay tuned for the draw on Friday, and let us know your predictions!
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