Barça reach top eight as Madrid humbled, Atlético slip and Athletic go out | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Barcelona were the only Spanish side to meet their target on a breathless Champions League finale, surviving a scare against Copenhagen to clinch a top eight place, while Real Madrid were humbled in Lisbon and Atlético and Athletic faltered.

Barcelona will meet PSG, Newcastle, Monaco or Qarabag in the last 16. Joining them in skipping the playoff are Arsenal, Bayern, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Sporting and Manchester City.

For the second year running, Madrid head for the playoff after a 4-2 collapse at Benfica, finishing with nine men. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the last seconds to seal 4-2 and send José Mourinho’s team through as Da Luz erupted.

Madrid could draw Benfica or Bodo/Glimt in the playoff. If they advance, Sporting or City could await.

Atlético lost 1-2 to Bodo/Glimt at the Metropolitano, so a playoff with Brujas or Galatasaray awaits, with Tottenham or Liverpool possible next. Athletic were beaten 2-3 by Sporting and are out, finishing 29th.

The night began with Oihan Sancet scoring at San Mamés, the first of 56 goals across Europe, and permutations even teased a Barça-Real Madrid tie as scores swung.

Arsenal made it eight wins from eight against Kairat, Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 and Villarreal bowed out with a 3-0 loss at Leverkusen.

PSG and Inter also missed the top eight, and Napoli were eliminated in 30th.

The top eight return on 10 March for last-16 first legs. The playoff draw is on Friday at 12.00, with ties on 17 and 24 February, and each club knows two potential opponents and two possible last-16 rivals if they progress.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo