Every team qualified for the 2024/25 Champions League knockout stages | OneFootball

The reformatted and expanded 2024/25 Champions League was met with understandable scepticism, but it has undoubtedly produced an impressive spectacle.

The new 36-team league phase is nearing its conclusion and there remains masses to play for across the standings heading into Matchday 8, with few sides certain of their fates as the shutters close.

Some European giants remain unsure of their place in the knockout rounds and the scramble to finish in the top eight and avoid a two-legged play-off will be fiercely contested during the final bout of fixtures.

Here are the teams guaranteed to feature in the knockouts and those that have been eliminated.

Last 16 - Confirmed teams

Barcelona's bonkers win over Benfica secured their last 16 berth / Carlos Rodrigues/GettyImages

Rather surprisingly, only two sides have guaranteed their place in the last 16 of the new-look Champions League, with Barcelona and, in particular, Liverpool having been a cut above their competitors this year.

The Reds are the only side to have a perfect record after seven league phase matches and have beaten the likes of Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Milan and RB Leipzig with relatively little fuss. Arne Slot's side will look forward to a well-earned break while others are duking it out in the play-off round.

Barcelona started with defeat at Monaco but have since rallied to produce six straight wins. A monumental 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Matchday 3 set them on their way, with their bonkers and controversial 5-4 triumph against Benfica securing their spot in the top eight. They could yet pip Liverpool to top spot depending on the results of the final round of fixtures.

Last 16 or play-offs - Confirmed teams

Arsenal are all but certain of a last 16 place / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Plenty are assured of their place in the knockout rounds but fewer are certain of whether they will make up one of the eight teams heading directly to the last 16 or whether they must brace themselves for a play-off fight.

Arsenal are almost guaranteed to reach the last 16 barring a dramatic and high-scoring implosion against Girona in their final match, while a single point will secure Inter a top-eight finish. Atletico Madrid and Milan are in strong positions, while last season's Europa League finalists Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen currently find themselves in the top eight.

Things are less clear for reigning European champions Real Madrid, who are guaranteed a play-off spot but will need favours from elsewhere to automatically reach the last 16. Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are in similar positions.

Celtic have reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2012/13 and will be content with a play-off berth, while Aston Villa currently sit just outside the top eight on their return to Europe's premier competition.

Brest have been the feel-good story of this term's competition and have massively over-performed on their debut, while fellow Ligue 1 sides Lille and Monaco have performed better than French champions Paris Saint-Germain, who face a fight to end the league phase in the top 24.

Manchester City have been the surprise under-performers this term and currently sit outside the knockout spots. They face a nervy duel with Club Brugge in their final outing as they look to secure their play-off place.

Eliminated - Confirmed teams

RB Leipzig have been disappointing during the league phase / Inaki Esnaola/GettyImages

RB Leipzig have been incredibly underwhelming in Europe despite their impressive squad, although they have had the misfortune of facing Liverpool, Inter, Atletico, Juventus and Villa. The 2019/20 semi-finalists have already been eliminated.

Bologna and Girona have been overpowered during their Champions League bows, failing to bring their heroic 2023/24 form into Europe's top tier. They can no longer make the knockout phase alongside competition regulars Red Star Belgrade and Salzburg.

It's been a miserable European campaign for both Swiss side Young Boys and Slovakian outfit Slovan Bratislava. Both have failed to secure a single point during their opening seven matches, although the former have a chance to change that on the final day against Red Star.