💥 A historic day in the Champions League: all you need to know

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OneFootball

·28 de enero de 2026

💥 A historic day in the Champions League: all you need to know

With 18 games being played simultaneously, it will be decided who makes it into the top eight, who qualifies for the round of 16, and who has to say goodbye to the competition.

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Today, the football world stands still on one continent for 90 minutes. Europe watches as the Champions League concludes a group stage where all matches are played simultaneously and a single goal can change everything.

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Of the 36 teams that started the competition, four have already been eliminated regardless of what happens next (Kairat, Villarreal, Slavia, and Eintracht), while Arsenal and Bayern Munich have already qualified for the round of 16.

😍 Llegó el día, hoy concluye la fase liga 📋 Todos los partidos de este miércoles (HEC) 👇 #UCL
– miércoles, 28 de enero de 2026

From here, the guessing game begins. Below, we briefly explain for each game what the teams need on this hectic night.

Ajax vs Olympiacos

Ajax Amsterdam

Olympiacos Pireo

15:00

If the Greeks win, their entry into the playoffs is almost certain.

A draw means elimination for Ajax, and Olympiacos would depend on other results.

If Ajax wins, qualification depends on other results, and the Greeks would be eliminated.

FC Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty

FC Arsenal

Kairat Almaty

15:00

The only game that no longer matters, as Arsenal is already qualified as first and Kairat Almaty is already eliminated as the last in the table.

Athletic Club vs Sporting CP

Athletic Club

Sporting CP

15:00

If Sporting wins, it could make it into the top 8 depending on other results.
In the case of a draw, the Portuguese would secure the playoffs and, in the unlikely event, even the top 8, while the Lions would have to wait for other results to know their future.
If Athletic wins, both teams qualify for the playoffs.

Atlético de Madrid vs Bodo Glimt

Atlético de Madrid

Bodo Glimt

15:00

If Atleti wins by a large margin and depending on other results, it could make it into the top 8.
With a draw, the Rojiblancos would enter the playoffs, and the Norwegians would be eliminated.
If Bodo Glimt wins, they could enter the playoffs depending on the outcome of other games.

Borussia Dortmund vs Inter de Milán

Borussia Dortmund

Inter de Milán

15:00

If Inter wins, a spot in the top eight is almost certain, and in the case of a large victory, Borussia could be eliminated depending on other results.
With a draw, both teams would enter the playoffs.
If Dortmund wins, only an incredible situation could lead them to the top 8.

FC Barcelona vs FC Copenhagen

FC Barcelona

FC Copenhague

15:00

If Barça wins and scores many goals, a spot in the top eight is certain, as it eliminates Copenhagen.
In the case of a draw, the Danes would rely on other results to enter the playoffs.
If Copenhagen wins, participation in the playoffs is 100% certain.

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Benfica

Real Madrid

15:00

If Real Madrid wins, it guarantees a spot among the top eight and would eliminate Benfica.
In the case of a draw, the Portuguese team would be eliminated, and the Royals would remain in the top 8 unless a series of unfavorable results occur.
If Benfica wins, it could be enough to qualify for the playoffs, while Madrid would depend on other results to confirm its participation in the round of 16.

FC Brugge vs Olympique Marseille

Club Brujas

Marsella

15:00

If Marseille wins, it qualifies for the playoffs and eliminates Brugge.
With a draw, both teams could enter the playoffs or even be eliminated depending on other results.
If Brugge wins, it would qualify for the playoffs, and Marseille would have to wait for other results to know if it advances or is eliminated.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham Hotspur

Eintracht Frankfurt

Tottenham Hotspur

15:00

Since Eintracht is already eliminated, the Spurs secure a spot in the top eight if they win or even draw, depending on the other results of the matchday.

Bayer Leverkusen vs FC Villarreal

Bayer Leverkusen

Villarreal

15:00

The Submarine is also already eliminated, so Leverkusen would secure entry into the playoffs with a win. A loss or draw would mean Leverkusen's fate depends on other games.

FC Liverpool vs Qarabag FK

Liverpool FC

Qarabag FK

15:00

If Liverpool wins, it qualifies among the top eight and leaves Qarabag to the fate of other games.
In the case of a draw, the Reds would practically be in the top 8, and Qarabag would also be in the playoffs unless a surprise occurs.
If they beat Qarabag, entry into the playoffs is certain, and depending on other results, Liverpool could fall out of the top 8.

Manchester City vs Galatasaray SK

Manchester City

Galatasaray

15:00

If City wins, a spot in the top eight is almost certain.
With a draw, both teams would reach the playoffs.
If the Turkish team wins, both teams would also reach the playoffs.

AS Monaco vs Juventus

AS Mónaco

Juventus

15:00

If Juve wins, it could make it into the top eight under certain circumstances, and Monaco would then depend on other results to avoid elimination.
With a draw, Juve's playoff participation is certain, while Monaco would have to wait for other games.
If Monaco wins, participation in the playoffs is certain.

SSC Napoli vs FC Chelsea

Napoli

Chelsea

15:00

If Chelsea wins, it secures a spot in the top 8 and eliminates Napoli.
In the case of a draw, the English could fall out of the top eight, and the Italians could also be eliminated due to other results.
If Napoli wins, it would practically secure a spot in the playoffs and push Chelsea out of the top 8.

Pafos FC vs Slavia Prague

Pafos FC

SK Slavia Praga

15:00

Slavia is already eliminated, while Paphos must win and hope for other results to see if it is enough for the playoffs. A loss or draw would mean elimination.

PSG vs Newcastle United

PSG

Newcastle United

15:00

The winner of this match is among the top eight. A draw could also benefit both teams depending on other results. The loser of this match could, however, drop into the playoffs.

PSV Eindhoven vs FC Bayern

PSV

Bayern Múnich

15:00

If Bayern wins by more than five goals and Arsenal loses, it would remain the leader.
The draw might not be enough for PSV considering the results of other games.
If PSV wins, its participation in the playoffs is almost certain.

Union St Gilloise vs Atalanta B.C.

Union Saint-Gilloise

Atalanta

15:00

If Atalanta wins, entry into the playoffs is certain, and a series of results could bring them into the top 8 and displace St. Gilloise.
With a draw, Union would be eliminated, and Atalanta would enter the playoffs.
If Union St Gilloise wins, it would have to wait for a series of results to allow entry into the playoffs.

Undoubtedly, there are many possible speculations, and a goal can radically change everything. This is a snapshot of the current situation in the Champions League. Any resemblance to reality in a few hours is pure fantasy.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 FREDERIC DIDES - AFP or Licensors