Champions League Standings 24/25: the 8 teams qualified for the Round of 16

The league phase of the UEFA Champions League concluded on Wednesday with its eighth and final matchday, which defined the top eight teams that advance directly to the Round of 16. In addition to Liverpool and FC Barcelona, who had secured their place in the TOP-8 after matchday 7, the following teams will be in the next phase: Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, LOSC Lille, and Aston Villa. The qualification line was marked by the French and English teams, with 16 points.

Liverpool: 21 points

The 'reds' completed an almost perfect group stage, with seven consecutive victories to secure the top spot. The team managed by Arne Slot debuted in the tournament with a solid victory at San Siro against AC Milan (1-3). After that, they won at home against Bologna (2-0) before doing their duty against RB Leipzig (0-1). In the fourth matchday, the Merseyside team crushed the reigning Europa League champion, Bayer Leverkusen (4-0), at Anfield.

In the next match, it was time to host Real Madrid, another game controlled by Liverpool from start to finish (2-0). The final score was a relief for the 'merengues' after the thorough beating suffered during the 90 minutes. Girona (0-1) and Lille (2-1) were the last victories for the English, who fell on Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven (3-2) with a completely alternate lineup. 

• League phase summary: Wins: 7. Draws: 0. Losses: 1. Goals for: 17. Goals against: 5. Goal difference: 12. Points: 21.
• At home: 4 wins, with 10 goals for and only 1 against.
• Away: 3 wins and 1 loss, with 7 goals for and 4 against.

Matches played:

1. AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool, at San Siro (matchday 1).
2. Liverpool 2-0 Bologna, at Anfield (matchday 2).
3. RB Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool, in Germany (matchday 3).
4. Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen, at Anfield (matchday 4)
5. Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid, at Anfield (matchday 5).
6. Girona 0-1 Liverpool, at Montilivi (matchday 6).
7. Liverpool 2-1 LOSC Lille, at Anfield (matchday 7).
8. PSV Eindhoven 3-2 Liverpool, in the Netherlands (matchday 8).

FC Barcelona: 19 points

Barcelona, for its part, closed the league phase with the best offense in the tournament (28 goals) and a streak of seven unbeaten matches. The culés debuted with an unexpected loss in Monaco (2-1), but bounced back with a thrashing against the weak Young Boys in matchday 2 (5-0). After that, they faced their first major test of the season, which they passed with authority by thrashing Bayern Munich (4-1) at Montjuïc.

The azulgrana team extended their good form with victories over Red Star (2-5) and Stade Brest (3-0). Before closing 2024, the team took a firm step towards the Round of 16 with a hard-fought victory against Borussia Dortmund in Germany (2-3). Barça secured qualification by coming back from a three-goal deficit in Lisbon against Benfica last week (4-5) and closed the first phase with a draw at home against Atalanta (2-2).

• League phase summary: Wins: 6. Draws: 1. Losses: 1. Goals for: 28. Goals against: 13. Goal difference: 15. Points: 19.
• At home: 3 wins and 1 draw, with 15 goals for and 3 against.
• Away: 3 wins and 1 loss, with 13 goals for and 10 against.

Matches played:

1. AS Monaco 2-1 FC Barcelona, in France (matchday 1).
2. FC Barcelona 5-0 Young Boys, at Montjuïc (matchday 2).
3. FC Barcelona 4-1 Bayern Munich, at Montjuïc (matchday 3).
4. Red Star 2-5 FC Barcelona, in Belgrade (matchday 4).
5. FC Barcelona 3-0 Stade Brest, at Montjuïc (matchday 5).
6. Borussia Dortmund 2-3 FC Barcelona, in Germany (matchday 6).
7. Benfica 4-5 FC Barcelona, in Lisbon (matchday 7).
8. FC Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta, at Montjuïc (matchday 8).

Arsenal: 19 points

In third place in the standings finished Arsenal, the team with the second-best defense in the tournament so far. The 'gunners' only conceded 3 goals in the group stage, while scoring 16. The team managed by Mikel Arteta debuted with a goalless draw at Atalanta (0-0), but bounced back with a convincing victory in London against PSG (2-0).

After that, they defeated Shakhtar at home (1-0) before losing by the same score in Milan against Inter (1-0). Arsenal took a firm step towards the Round of 16 in matchday 5 with a 'thumping' against Sporting in Lisbon (1-5), and then added two more thrashings in London against Monaco and Dinamo Zagreb, both 3-0. On Wednesday, the English closed the league phase with a narrow victory in Montilivi against Girona (1-2), matching Barça's line with 19 points.

• League phase summary: Wins: 6. Draws: 1. Losses: 1. Goals for: 16. Goals against: 3. Goal difference: 15. Points: 19.
• At home: 4 wins, with 9 goals for and 0 against.
• Away: 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, with 7 goals for and 3 against.

Matches played:

1. Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal, in Italy (matchday 1).
2. Arsenal 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain, in London (matchday 2).
3. Arsenal 1-0 Shakhtar Donetsk, in London (matchday 3).
4. Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal, in Italy (matchday 4).
5. Sporting CP 1-5 Arsenal, in Lisbon (matchday 5).
6. Arsenal 3-0 AS Monaco, in London (matchday 6).
7. Arsenal 3-0 Dinamo Zagreb, in London (matchday 7).
8. Girona 1-2 Arsenal, in Montilivi (matchday 8).

Inter Milan: 19 points

The 'Nerazzurri' had a performance very similar to that of Arsenal. Simone Inzaghi's team only conceded one goal throughout the group stage, in the defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, on matchday 6. Previously, Inter also debuted with a goalless draw against Manchester City (0-0), but added four consecutive victories against Red Star (4-0), Young Boys (0-1), Arsenal (1-0), and RB Leipzig (1-0).

Despite boasting the best defense in the Champions League, the Italians struggled to score goals. After the defeat in Leverkusen, the team had a hard time defeating Sparta Prague (0-1) and just on Wednesday against Monaco (3-0) they managed to win comfortably at home. In total, Inter finished with 19 points, resulting from 6 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

• League phase summary: Wins: 6. Draws: 1. Losses: 1. Goals for: 11. Goals against: 1. Goal difference: 10. Points: 19.
• At home: 4 wins, with 9 goals for and 0 against.
• Away: 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, with 2 goals for and 1 against.

Matches played:

1. Manchester City 0-0 Inter Milan, in England (matchday 1).
2. Inter Milan 4-0 Red Star, in Italy (matchday 2).
3. Young Boys 0-1 Inter Milan, in Switzerland (matchday 3).
4. Inter Milan 1-0 Arsenal, in Italy (matchday 4).
5. Inter Milan 1-0 RB Leipzig, in Italy (matchday 5).
6. Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Inter Milan, in Germany (matchday 6).
7. Sparta Prague 0-1 Inter Milan, in Czech Republic (matchday 7).
8. Inter Milan 3-0 AS Monaco, in Italy (matchday 8).

Atlético Madrid: 18 points

Atlético had a weak start to the league phase but reacted in time by chaining a streak of five consecutive victories to enter the TOP-8 as the fifth-placed team. The 'colchoneros' debuted at home with a narrow victory against Leipzig (2-1), but were thrashed in Lisbon by Benfica (4-0) and then lost again in Madrid against Lille (1-3).

On matchday 4, the 'rojiblancos' revived with a great victory at PSG (1-2). From there, 'Aleti' did not stop winning, crushing Sparta Prague (0-6) before defeating Slovan Bratislava (3-1) and Bayer Leverkusen (2-1) at home. In the final matchday, Diego Simeone's team thrashed Salzburg (1-4) to secure their direct passage to the Round of 16 with 19 points.

• League phase summary: Wins: 6. Draws: 0. Losses: 2. Goals for: 20. Goals against: 12. Goal difference: 8. Points: 18.
• At home: 3 wins and 1 loss, with 8 goals for and 6 against.
• Away: 3 wins and 1 loss, with 12 goals for and 6 against.

Matches played:

1. Atlético Madrid 2-1 RB Leipzig, in Spain (matchday 1).
2. Benfica 4-0 Atlético Madrid, in Lisbon (matchday 2).
3. Atlético Madrid 1-3 LOSC Lille, in Spain (matchday 3).
4. Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Atlético Madrid, in France (matchday 4).
5. Sparta Prague 0-6 Atlético Madrid, in Czech Republic (matchday 5).
6. Atlético Madrid 3-1 Slovan Bratislava, in Spain (matchday 6).
7. Atlético Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen, in Spain (matchday 7).
8. RB Salzburg 1-4 Atlético Madrid, in Austria (matchday 8).

Bayer Leverkusen: 16 points

Behind Atlético finished the reigning Europa League and Bundesliga champion. Leverkusen completed a good league phase despite some ups and downs, with an impeccable home performance and several problems away from home. Xabi Alonso's team started very well, thrashing Feyenoord in Rotterdam (0-4) and winning narrowly in Germany against Milan (1-0).

However, on matchday 3 they could only manage a draw against Brest in France (1-1) and then were thrashed by Liverpool at Anfield (4-0). Bayer bounced back by handing a 'thumping' to the weak Salzburg (5-0) and with a hard-fought victory against Inter Milan (1-0). On matchday 7, they fell again as visitors against Atlético (2-1), but the Germans secured their spot in the TOP-8 with a comfortable win against Sparta Prague (2-0) to finish with 16 points.

• League phase summary: Wins: 5. Draws: 1. Losses: 2. Goals for: 15. Goals against: 7. Goal difference: 8. Points: 16.
• At home: 4 wins, with 9 goals for and 0 against.
• Away: 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses, with 6 goals for and 7 against.

Matches played:

1. Feyenoord 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen, in Rotterdam (matchday 1).
2. Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 AC Milan, in Germany (matchday 2).
3. Stade Brest 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen, in France (matchday 3).
4. Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen, in England (matchday 4).
5. Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 RB Salzburg, in Germany (matchday 5).
6. Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 Inter Milan, in Germany (matchday 6).
7. Atlético Madrid 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen, in Spain (matchday 7).
8. Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Sparta Prague, in Germany (matchday 8).

LOSC Lille: 16 points

The big surprise of the TOP-8, without a doubt, was LOSC Lille. The French team is currently fifth in Ligue 1 and managed to sneak into seventh place with 16 points, resulting from 5 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. Lille debuted with a loss in Lisbon against Sporting (2-0), but showed that they were ready to compete by defeating both clubs from the Spanish capital, Real Madrid (1-0) and Atlético Madrid (1-3).

The team stumbled at home against Juventus (1-1), but did their homework in Bologna (1-2) and at home against Sturm Graz (3-2). Despite falling at Anfield against Liverpool (2-1), Bruno Génésio's team closed the league phase with a thrashing of Feyenoord (6-1) that allowed them to secure seventh place in the standings with a +7 goal difference.

• League phase summary: Wins: 5. Draws: 1. Losses: 2. Goals for: 17. Goals against: 10. Goal difference: 7. Points: 16.
• At home: 4 wins, with 11 goals for and 4 against.
• Away: 1 win, 1 draw, and 2 losses, with 6 goals for and 6 against.

Matches played:

1. Sporting CP 2-0 LOSC Lille, in Lisbon (matchday 1).
2. LOSC Lille 1-0 Real Madrid, in France (matchday 2).
3. Atlético Madrid 1-3 LOSC Lille, in Spain (matchday 3).
4. LOSC Lille 1-1 Juventus, in France (matchday 4).
5. Bologna 1-2 LOSC Lille, in Italy (matchday 5).
6. LOSC Lille 3-2 Sturm Graz, in France (matchday 6).
7. Liverpool 2-1 LOSC Lille, in England (matchday 7).
8. LOSC Lille 6-1 Feyenoord, in France (matchday 8).

Aston Villa: 16 points

Finally, Aston Villa closed the TOP-8 also with 16 points. Unai Emery's team paved their way to qualification with three victories in the first three matchdays, against Young Boys (0-3), Bayern Munich (1-0), and Bologna (2-0). The draw seemed to promise a smooth route to the Round of 16 for the Birmingham team, but a draw at home against Juventus (0-0) and a loss in Belgium against Bruges (1-0) complicated things for the 'villains'.

The team righted the ship with a hard-fought victory in Leipzig (2-3), but complicated their lives again by losing in the Principality against Monaco (1-0). On Wednesday, two goals in five minutes seemed to resolve the match against Celtic, but the Scots equalized before halftime. Two more goals in the second half sealed qualification for the English (4-2), with a goal difference of +7.

• League phase summary: Wins: 5. Draws: 1. Losses: 2. Goals for: 13. Goals against: 6. Goal difference: 7. Points: 16.
• At home: 3 wins and 1 draw, with 7 goals for and 2 against.
• Away: 2 wins and 2 losses, with 6 goals for and 4 against.

Matches played:

1. Young Boys 0-3 Aston Villa, in Switzerland (matchday 1).
2. Aston Villa 1-0 Bayern Munich, in England (matchday 2).
3. Aston Villa 2-0 Bologna, in England (matchday 3).
4. Bruges 1-0 Aston Villa, in Belgium (matchday 4).
5. Aston Villa 0-0 Juventus, in England (matchday 5).
6. RB Leipzig 2-3 Aston Villa, in Germany (matchday 6).
7. AS Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa, in France (matchday 7).
8. Aston Villa 4-2 Celtic, in England (matchday 8).