Champions League Round of 16 (Second Leg)

The following article contains details of the 2024-25 Champions League.

Champions League Round of 16 (second leg)

 

PSG v Borussia Dortmund

PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé scored early for the hosts and gave Dortmund the task of needing two goals to survive. Dortmund tried to attack as the first half progressed, only to come up short. Instead, Randel Kolo Muani doubled the lead on the night, making it near impossible to lose. Vitinha made it a third for the match, and it was game over with ten minutes left. PSG were the first side into the Champions League Quarter Finals.

 

Monaco v Inter Milan

Monaco had to diminish a difference of one goal, and nearly did early, only for offside to keep them at bay. Monaco kept producing chances, only for Inter’s goalkeeper to keep them at bay, before Lautaro Martínez got a volley from a right flank cross on target and into the back of the net. Inter Milan played the midfield to perfection in the second half, and Monaco, despite their group stage prowess, fail to reach the Quarter Finals. The team coming 24th in the group stage upended the top side, making it to the final eight. It shows how sometimes a team only needs to progress to the next stage to then upstage others.

 

Arsenal v Atalanta

Both Arsenal and Atalanta had chances in the first half as Arsenal kept their three-goal aggregate lead. The hosts hit the woodwork twice, only to not score. Still, it did not matter, as Arsenal made the last eight.

 

Liverpool v Stuttgart

Liverpool needed until right before the break to add a third goal to their aggregate tally, with Cody Gakpo finishing off an initial save. From there, Liverpool held firm and progressed with ease to the next stage.

 

AC Milan v Atlético Madrid

AC Milan, behind by two goals, started with a bang, scoring via Samuel Chukwueze. The game stepped up in the first half, only to have no more goals. Atlético played the second half so defensively that they managed to hold firm, though gaining four yellow cards in the process. Still, it was enough to advance to the Quarter Finals.

 

Bayern München v Barcelona

Whoever won this match would progress, and the first half played accordingly as both sides had opportunities, only to come up short. Defences reigned supreme as their second match also ended scoreless. Finally, it took Marc Bernal after a corner, where the hosts failed to clear, to break the deadlock. From there, Barcelona held on and made it to the next stage.

 

Real Madrid v RB Leipzig

Spanish team number three for the Quarter Finals looked set and had chances to extend their lead from the first leg, all to no avail. Eventually, Rodrygo scored, making it nearly impossible to lose. Real Madrid took the seventh place in the Quarter Finals.

 

Manchester City v Girona

Girona made one change as they needed to not let four goals past. Manchester City got one early: Erling Haaland on the fast break. Girona made up that goal from a corner mistake to snag back a goal, with Bryan Gil shooting from the edge of the box. Girona then snatched the lead on the night as Arnaut Danjuma slotted home an initial save. From there, the visitors gained the final place in the last eight.