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

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·28 Januari 2026

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

With 18 matches simultaneously to determine who advances as the top eight, who qualifies for the round of 32, and who says goodbye to the competition.

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Today, the football scene pauses for 90 minutes on a continent. Europe watches as the Champions League concludes a group stage where all matches are played at the same time and a single goal can change everything.

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Of the 36 teams that started the competition, four are already eliminated no matter what happens (Kairat, Villarreal, Slavia, and Eintracht), while Arsenal and Bayern Munich are already qualified for the round of 16.

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

From here, the dance of assumptions begins. Below we briefly explain what each team needs in this frenetic night, match by match.

Ajax vs Olympiacos

Ajax Amsterdam

Olympiakos

15:00

If the Greeks win, they practically guarantee entry into the playoffs
A draw leaves Ajax eliminated and Olympiacos depending on other results.
If Ajax wins, they depend on other results to qualify and would eliminate the Greeks.

Arsenal vs Kairat

Arsenal

Kairat Almaty

15:00

The only match where nothing is at stake as Arsenal is qualified as first and Kairat Almaty is already eliminated as the last in the standings.

Athletic Club vs Sporting Portugal

Athletic Bilbao

Sporting CP

15:00

If Sporting wins, they could enter the Top 8 depending on other results
In case of a draw, the Portuguese would secure the playoff and remotely the Top 8 while the lions would have to wait for other results to know their future
If Athletic wins, both teams would qualify for the playoff

Atlético de Madrid vs Bodo Glimt

Atlético de Madrid

Bodo/Glimt

15:00

If Atleti wins by a landslide and depending on other results, they could enter the Top 8
In case of a draw, the red and whites would go to the playoff and the Norwegians would be eliminated
If Bodo Glimt wins, they could enter the playoff depending on the outcome of other matches

Borussia Dortmund vs Inter Milan

Borussia Dortmund

Internazionale

15:00

If Inter wins, they would almost ensure their presence among the top eight and if by a landslide, Borussia could be eliminated depending on other results.
In case of a draw, both teams would go to the playoff
If Dortmund wins, only a bizarre situation could get them into the Top 8

Barcelona vs Copenhagen

Barcelona

FC Copenhague

15:00

If Barça wins and scores heavily, they guarantee their presence among the top eight, eliminating Copenhagen
In case of a draw, the Danes would depend on other results to enter the playoff
If Copenhagen wins, they guarantee 100% their presence in the playoff

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Benfica

Real Madrid

15:00

If Real Madrid wins, they guarantee entry among the top eight and would eliminate Benfica
In case of a draw, the Portuguese team would be eliminated and the whites would remain in the top 8 unless a combination of results
If Benfica wins, it could be enough to enter the playoff depending on other results while Madrid would depend on others to confirm their presence in the round of 16

Club Brugge vs Marseille

FC Bruges

Marseille

15:00

If Marseille wins, they qualify for the playoff and eliminate Club Brugge
In case of a draw, both could qualify for the playoff or even be eliminated depending on other results
If Club Brugge wins, they would certify their presence in the playoff and Marseille would have to wait for other scores to know if they advance or are eliminated

Eintracht vs Tottenham

Eintracht Frankfurt

Tottenham Hotspur

15:00

With Eintracht already eliminated, the Spurs guarantee entry among the top eight if they win or even if they draw depending on other results of the day.

Leverkusen vs Villarreal

Bayer Leverkusen

Villarreal

15:00

The submarine is also another of the eliminated teams, so Leverkusen would guarantee the playoff if they win. If, on the contrary, they lose or draw, they would depend on other matches to know their fate.

Liverpool vs Qarabag

Liverpool FC

Qarabag FK

15:00

If Liverpool wins, they qualify among the top eight and leave Qarabag at the mercy of other matches
In case of a draw, the Reds would be practically in the top 8 and Qarabag would also be in the playoff unless a combination of results
If Qarabag manages to win, they guarantee a playoff spot and depending on other results, Liverpool could drop out of the top 8.

Manchester City vs Galatasaray

Manchester City

Galatasaray

15:00

If City wins, they would almost ensure their presence among the top eight
In case of a draw, both would guarantee playing the playoff
If the Turkish team wins, both would still play the playoff

Monaco vs Juventus

AS Monaco

Juventus

15:00

If Juve wins, they could enter the top eight if certain results occur, Monaco would be at the mercy of other matches to avoid elimination
In case of a draw, Juve guarantees the playoff and Monaco would have to wait for other matches
If Monaco wins, they guarantee their presence in the playoff

Napoli vs Chelsea

Napoli

Chelsea

15:00

If Chelsea wins, they ensure entry into the top 8 and eliminate Napoli
In case of a draw, the English could drop out of the top eight and the Italians would be eliminated anyway depending on other results
If Napoli wins, they would almost ensure their presence in the playoff and would knock Chelsea out of the top 8

Pafos vs Slavia Prague

Pafos FC

Slavia Prague

15:00

Slavia is already eliminated, while Pafos needs to win and wait for other results to see if they can enter the playoff. A loss or a draw leaves them out.

PSG vs Newcastle

PSG

Newcastle United

15:00

Whoever wins between the two guarantees entry among the top eight. A draw could also be beneficial depending on other results. Lastly, whoever loses could be relegated to the playoff.

PSV vs Bayern Munich

PSV

Bayern Munich

15:00

If Bayern wins by more than five goals and Arsenal loses, they would be the leader of the standings
A draw might not serve PSV depending on other results from the other matches
If PSV wins, they would almost ensure their presence in the playoff

Union St Gilloise vs Atalanta

Union Saint-Gilloise

Atalanta

15:00

If Atalanta wins, they guarantee entry into the playoff and a series of results could elevate them to the top 8, eliminating St Gilloise
In case of a draw, Union would be eliminated and Atalanta would play the playoff
If Union St Gilloise wins, they would have to wait for a series of results that allow them to enter the playoff

There are undoubtedly many possible scenarios and a goal can radically change everything. This is the current picture of the Champions League, any resemblance to reality in a few hours, pure fantasy.

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

📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors