Champions League Roundup

The UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoffs delivered high drama this week, with thrilling comebacks, dominant displays, and standout individual performances. Among the highlights, PSV Eindhoven stunned Juventus in extra time, Paris Saint-Germain demolished Brest, and Kylian Mbappé’s brilliance propelled Real Madrid past Manchester City.

PSV’s Late Heroics Knock Out Juventus

PSV Eindhoven secured a memorable 3-1 victory over Juventus after extra time to overturn a first-leg deficit and book their place in the last 16. With Juventus leading 2-1 from the first leg, veteran Ivan Perišić opened the scoring in the 53rd minute to level the tie.

🇭🇷✨ Ivan Perišić (36) made history... he is the oldest ever player to score in both legs of a UEFA Champions League knockout tie. Incredible. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/CKTwM1QdGa

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 20, 2025

Though Timothy Weah briefly restored Juve’s aggregate advantage with a thunderous strike, Ismael Saibari equalized in the 74th minute to force extra time. Ryan Flamingo then capitalized on a defensive mix-up to net the decisive goal in the 98th minute, sealing a 4-3 aggregate triumph for the Dutch side.

Mbappé’s Hat-Trick Sends Real Madrid Through

Kylian Mbappé stole the spotlight with a sensational hat-trick as Real Madrid dispatched Manchester City 3-1 (6-3 on aggregate). Mbappé’s first goal was a fortunate looping effort, but his second—a delicate lob over Ederson—was pure class. He completed his treble with a powerful strike from the edge of the area, leaving City’s defense in tatters.

The 2023 champions, missing key players like Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne, struggled to contain Madrid’s attack, marking the end of their campaign in Europe. They have one last shot at the trophy this season, as they are into the fifth round of the FC Cup.

PSG Run Riot Against Brest

Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the last 16 with a crushing 7-0 home victory over Brest, completing a staggering 10-0 aggregate win. Bradley Barcola broke the deadlock early before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead before halftime.

PSG faced Brest 4️⃣ times this season, with a total score of 𝟏𝟖-𝟑 😳🔨 pic.twitter.com/KOHez0K0EO

— 433 (@433) February 20, 2025

Vitinha, Désiré Doué, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Ramos, and Senny Mayulu all found the net as PSG recorded one of the biggest aggregate victories in Champions League history. They now await a round-of-16 clash against Liverpool.

Dortmund Ease Past Sporting

Borussia Dortmund advanced comfortably with a goalless draw at home against Sporting, sealing a 3-0 aggregate victory. The German side, last year’s runners-up, controlled the match despite missing a penalty from Serhou Guirassy and having an Emre Can goal ruled out for offside.

Sporting, whose campaign unraveled after coach Ruben Amorim left in November, failed to mount any serious challenge. They had just one shot on target the whole game, as Viktor Gyokeres is still absent from the squad.

Feyenoord Make History, Benfica Survive Thriller

Feyenoord reached the Champions League round of 16 for the first time, drawing 1-1 with AC Milan to progress 2-1 on aggregate. Milan struck first through Santiago Giménez, but a red card for Theo Hernández turned the tide. Substitute Julián Carranza then powered in a header to send the Dutch side through.

Milan again! 🫨

Our journey continues vs @Inter#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/vD6DbDCEjN

— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) February 21, 2025

Benfica squeezed into the last 16 after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Monaco, winning 4-3 on aggregate. Orkun Kökçü’s late strike proved decisive after a back-and-forth contest that saw both sides trade leads throughout the match.

Bayern And Club Brugge Also Progress

Bayern Munich needed a stoppage-time winner from Alphonso Davies to edge past Celtic 3-2 on aggregate after Nicolas Kühn’s goal had put the Scottish side on the verge of extra time.

Club Brugge stunned Atalanta with a 3-1 away victory, winning 5-2 on aggregate. Chemsdine Talbi’s early brace and Ferran Jutglà’s wonder strike ensured the Belgian club’s passage, despite a spirited second-half fightback from Atalanta.