Champions League 2024/25 Matchday 8 LIVE: City scores… but would still be eliminated – Marca English

Editions:En/football/champions-league
Welcome to our liveblog taking you through all 18 games
Good evening everybody and welcome to another MARCA in English live blog, this time taking you through the final Champions League matchday which sees 18 games played simultaneously to determine who qualifies for the knockout stage.With 36 teams having played seven matches each, the last round of group games will determine who advances directly to the last 16, who heads into the knockout playoff round, and who bids farewell to the competition.This season’s revamped Champions League format has been nothing short of thrilling, and as the final league phase matches approach, there is still plenty at stake. Some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, find themselves in precarious positions, while others like Liverpool and Barcelona have already secured their passage to the knockout rounds.All eyes will be on Manchester City, the reigning European champions, who face Club Brugge in a do-or-die scenario at the Etihad Stadium. Despite a lackluster campaign so far, a victory would secure them a play-off spot. However, Brugge, unbeaten in 20 matches, could eliminate City with an upset victory.Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain also finds itself on the brink of elimination. A draw against Stuttgart would see the French giants through to the play-offs, but their German opponents are equally desperate for a win to solidify their qualification. Real Madrid, despite an inconsistent campaign, still has an outside shot at finishing in the top eight. They travel to face an impressive Brest side that has surprised many in this year’s competition.On the other hand, Arsenal is almost guaranteed a top-eight finish and will look to confirm that with a win over Girona, a team already eliminated from the tournament. Inter Milan, last season’s runners-up, have a relatively comfortable fixture against Monaco, where a win would see them advance smoothly.Elsewhere, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus have secured play-off spots but will need strong performances to break into the top eight.Champions League 2024/25 Matchday 8 LIVE: Find out the results from every match and the latest news from the final day of the Group Stage.A massive showdown awaits as Manchester City are set to face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the play-offs. A heavyweight clash this early in the competition–what a tie!Final Champions League 2024/25 Group Stage StandingsAston Villa 4-2 CelticBarcelona 2-2 AtalantaBayer Leverkusen 2-0 Sparta PragueBayern Munich 3-1 Slovan BratislavaBorussia Dortmund 3-1 Shakhtar DonetskBrest 0-3 Real MadridDinamo Zagreb 2-1 AC MilanGirona 1-2 ArsenalInter Milan 3-0 MonacoJuventus 0-2 BenficaLille 6-1 FeyenoordManchester City 3-1 Club BruggePSV 3-2 LiverpoolRed Bull Salzburg 1-4 Atlético MadridSporting CP 1-1 BolognaSturm Graz 1-0 RB LeipzigStuttgart 1-4 PSGYoung Boys 0-1 Red Star BelgradeA thrilling contest ends level! Barcelona secure second place in the standings, while Atalanta fall just short of a top-eight finish, meaning they’ll have to battle through the play-offs to reach the last 16.Real Madrid power to victory but fall just one point short of an automatic last-16 spot, meaning they’ll have to navigate the play-offs to continue their title defense.Meanwhile, Brest make history, securing a play-off place in their first-ever European campaign. A remarkable achievement for the French side!PSG cruise into the play-offs with a dominant display, while Stuttgart’s campaign comes to an end as they are eliminated. A comfortable night for the French giants!Hat-trick hero! Morgan Rogers bags his first career treble after Ollie Watkins capitalizes on a mistake from Dane Murray, cutting it back for Rogers to fire into the bottom corner past two defenders. A night to remember for the Villa star!A lengthy stoppage here as Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini is stretchered off following a serious injury. As a result, we’re set for a significant amount of added time in this tightly contested clash.What a statement from Lille! They smash six past Feyenoord to surge into seventh place. A dominant display from the Ligue 1 side, capped off by Remy Cabella’s clever header for their sixth of the night. Stunning performance!Kingsley Coman adds a third for Bayern, slotting home from close range. The German giants stay 11th, keeping them in the seeded spots for the upcoming play-off round. Solid performance in Munich!The Club Brugge fans are nervously watching the clock and checking results elsewhere. They remain on course for the play-offs unless Dinamo Zagreb can produce a three-goal swing in the final minutes–or Stuttgart pull off a near-impossible comeback against PSG, where they currently trail 4-1.Savinho’s introduction at half-time has been a game-changer, stretching the play on the left and causing Brugge constant problems. Joko Gvardiol’s intelligent passing has also been key, with their link-up play instrumental in two of City’s three goals.Benfica take a big step towards the play-offs! Orkun Kokcu drills a low finish to double their lead in Turin. Juventus are already through, but the Portuguese side are closing in on their spot.Rodrygo bags his second of the night–and his 10th goal in 10 games–as he extends Real Madrid’s lead. It looks like both sides are heading for the play-offs, with Brest unable to escape the drop zone.Atalanta hit back again! Mario Pasalic sneaks between two defenders and slots the ball through Wojciech Szczesny’s legs to bring his side level.They jump to ninth, with another goal potentially pushing them into the top eight. Meanwhile, Liverpool reclaim top spot!Relief for Sporting! They claw their way back into the play-off spots as Conrad Harner rifles home from a well-placed square pass. Just 13 minutes left–can they hold on?Savinho makes his mark! The substitute gets his first Champions League goal after a brilliant cross from John Stones picks him out on the left. A perfect first touch sets him up before he drills it into the corner.Barcelona regain the lead! Ronald Araújo drifts unmarked at the back post and nods home a crucial header. The Spanish giants are on course to reclaim top spot!Lautaro Martínez completes his hat-trick! The Inter skipper reacts quickest to a saved Henrikh Mkhitaryan effort, smashing home the rebound to cement their spot in fourth. Clinical from Inter!What a strike! Ederson shows brilliant footwork on the edge of the box before sneaking a precise shot in at the near post. His first-ever Champions League goal–and it could be massive for Atalanta!Oh no! Watkins loses his footing as he strikes the ball, accidentally kicking it off his standing leg and sending the penalty flying over the bar. A huge let-off for Celtic!If things stay this way, Manchester City are set for a blockbuster knockout tie against either Real Madrid or AC Milan. Plenty still to play for!Atletico keep rolling! Marcos Llorente adds a fourth as Diego Simeone’s side strengthen their grip on fifth place–for now. Dominant display!Milan’s fightback is short-lived! Marko Pjaca smashes in a stunning left-footed strike to restore Dinamo Zagreb’s lead. The 10-man visitors drop to 12th–though the table keeps shifting!Sporting are in trouble! With results going against them, they’ve slipped into the elimination spots. They need a response–and fast!Harry Kane is at it again! Jamal Musiala delivers a looping cross into the box, and Kane rises to head home his sixth Champions League goal of the season. Bayern in control!Villa edge back in front–and into the top eight as it stands! Ollie Watkins bags his first Champions League goal, finishing off a slick counter. John McGinn finds Jacob Ramsey, who slides it across for Watkins to slot home. Big goal!Jude Bellingham strikes again! Lucas Vázquez picks him out with a clever pullback, and the England star makes no mistake, tapping home to double Real’s lead. Madrid stay 10th, while Brest remain rooted to 20th.City complete the turnaround! Savinho slices open the defence with a perfect pass to Joko Gvardiol, who looks to pick out Erling Haaland–but Joel Ordoñez inadvertently turns it into his own net. A cruel moment for the Brugge defender after an otherwise solid performance.Down to 10 men but not out! Christian Pulisic produces a moment of real quality to bring Milan level. A massive goal that, for now, lifts them up to seventh!Ousmane Dembélé is unstoppable! He completes his hat-trick in style, flicking a first-time strike from the edge of the box into the net. A dazzling display from both him and PSG tonight!Chaos in the City defence! Christos Tzolis bursts forward, holding off Joko Gvardiol, and seems poised to shoot–but the move is halted for offside. Pep Guardiola is furious, earning himself a booking after protesting the delayed flag. Tensions rising at the Etihad!City are back in it! Mateo Kovacic picks his moment, surges forward unchallenged, and coolly slots a low shot into the far corner. Still work to do, but it’s game on at the Etihad!With Liverpool trailing, Barcelona have the chance to go top–and they take it! Lamine Yamal strikes on the counter, rounding the keeper before calmly slotting the ball home. Big goal for Barcelona.Second half underway! Pep Guardiola shakes things up, bringing on Savinho for Ilkay Gundogan and switching formation. City need two goals–it’s now or never.Savinho makes an instant impact, winning a corner, but it leads to nothing. Moments later, Kevin De Bruyne delivers a dangerous cross, but John Stones’ header flashes across goal and wide. Big chance missed!With 18 games at the halfway stage, it’s Manchester City who has all the headlines as they trail at home against Brugge, meaning Pep Guardiola’s men are currently heading for Champions League elimination.Aston Villa 2-2 CelticBarcelona 0-0 AtalantaBayer Leverkusen 1-0 Sparta PragueBayern Munich 1-0 Slovan BratislavaBorussia Dortmund 2-0 Shakhtar DonetskBrest 0-1 Real MadridDinamo Zagreb 1-0 AC MilanGirona 1-2 ArsenalInter Milan 2-0 MonacoJuventus 0-1 BenficaLille 2-1 FeyenoordManchester City 0-1 Club BruggePSV 3-2 LiverpoolRed Bull Salzburg 0-3 Atlético MadridSporting CP 0-1 BolognaSturm Graz 1-0 RB LeipzigStuttgart 0-3 PSGYoung Boys 0-0 Red Star BelgradeWhat a turnaround! PSV come from behind again as Ricardo Pepi pounces on a defensive lapse from Conor Bradley, slotting the ball into the bottom corner. It may have taken a slight touch off Bradley, but the hosts won’t care–they now lead!PSV hit back again! Joey Veerman sets up Ismael Saibari, who makes no mistake, bringing the hosts level just before the break. It’s all square in Eindhoven!Stunning counterattack! Ferran Jutglà leaves Matheus Nunes trailing before teeing up Raphael Onyedika, who rifles a clinical finish into the net. Wild celebrations from the visitors as Brugge take a shock lead!What a moment for Ethan Nwaneri! The highly-rated teenager collects the ball at the edge of the box, shifts inside, and bends a stunning strike into the bottom corner. Arsenal turn it around to take the lead!Trouble piles up for AC Milan! Already trailing, they’re now down to 10 men as Yunus Musah picks up a second yellow and heads off early. A draw could have pushed them into the automatic qualifying spots, but that task just got a lot harder.Jorginho makes no mistake from the penalty spot! The keeper dives the right way, but the Italian’s penalty is perfectly placed into the corner. Arsenal are back on level terms!Greg Taylor’s low cross is diverted by John McGinn straight into Adam Idah’s path, and he reacts brilliantly to hook a smart volley into the net.What a turnaround! A slick Celtic move ends with Reo Hatate sliding the ball across the box, and Adam Idah beats Emiliano Martinez to it, lifting a composed finish into the top corner. All square!PSG are playing like a team that was never in danger! Stuttgart can’t cope as Ousmane Dembélé smashes in his second with a powerful finish. Dominant display.Johan Bakayoko levels in style! A clever touch inside the box sets him up perfectly before he cuts past a defender and bends a superb right-footed shot into the net. A classy finish!After a stubborn defensive display, Brest finally break as Rodrygo produces a moment of magic. The Brazilian weaves through defenders on the edge of the box before curling a brilliant low strike into the far corner–his ninth goal in 10 matches. Real Madrid now sit level with Atalanta in eighth place.A moment to forget for Neto! Arsenal’s oldest debutant in 110 years rushes out but gets nowhere near the ball, allowing Arnaut Danjuma to curl it into an empty net.Cody Gakpo marks his return home with a coolly taken penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way. Liverpool, already through, edge closer to a perfect Champions League campaign!Massive moment for Martin Baturina! His goal puts Dinamo Zagreb ahead and lifts them to 23rd, securing the final play-off spot–for now.A dramatic turnaround! Gianluigi Donnarumma pulls off a stunning save to deny Chris Fuhrich, and PSG counter instantly–Bradley Barcola sets up Ousmane Dembélé, who scores. Initially ruled offside, but after a long VAR check, the goal stands!Lautaro Martínez doubles Inter’s lead against 10-man Monaco, ensuring they stay out of Aston Villa’s reach tonight.Barcelona, already through, are playing with little urgency, while Atalanta push forward. Davide Zappacosta comes close with a header just over as the Italians chase a crucial result.Ilkay Gundogan finds the net with a tidy finish into the far corner, but the flag goes up immediately for offside. No goal for City this time!Giuliano Simeone dazzles with a delightful chip over keeper Alexander Schlager before delivering a pinpoint cross for Antoine Griezmann, who slides in to finish.PSG take the lead in the sixth minute as a corner is flicked to Bradley Barcola who heads home at the back post.An early goal at the San Siro as Lautaro Martinez’s penalty gives Inter the lead.Morgan Rogers with two early goals at Villa Park as Celtic are stunned.Alvarez steals the ball from the Salzburg defence and slides the ball to Giuliano Simeone who slides the ball home.HERE WE GO!!! A night of Champions League madness begins as all 18 matches are underway!!Man City boss Pep Guardiola to TNT Sports: “Every game is different, each season is different, the opponents are different but of course, it is simple, if we win we are through and if not, we are out.”Former Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart on BBC Radio 5 Live: “It is their [UEFA’s] dream what is going on tonight. Everything on the line, someone like Man City are on the edge of being eliminated. When they set it up the idea was that teams like this would be on the edge of the top eight, but for them to be potentially going out of the competition brings that interest for the next round, the playoff.”In the four-team format, two or three games in you kind of knew where you stood. But this year there have been so many ways of getting further if you are not that team that is necessarily expected to go on and win it or reach the semi-finals. [The new format] has opened it up.”Bayern Munich made history back in September 2024 by thrashing Dinamo Zagreb 9-2, marking the biggest victory in Champions League history. With Kompany’s side in ruthless form, many expect another high-scoring affair.Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde may have unintentionally provided extra motivation for Atalanta ahead of tonight’s Champions League showdown. When asked about Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, Balde responded: “Who is that? I don’t know.”Atalanta sit 7th in the Champions League standings with 14 points and have already secured at least a play-off spot. Barcelona are already through to the last 16 but will want a strong finish.Stuttgart XI: Bredlow; Vagnoman, Al-Dakhil, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Atakan Karazor, Stiller, Leweling, Millot, Führich, Undav.PSG XI: Donnarumma; Achraf, Marquinhos, Pacho, Lucas Hernández; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Zaire-Emery; Doué, Barcola, Dembélé.Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has opted to rotate his squad for tonight’s Champions League showdown against Atalanta, prioritizing fresh legs as the team pushes for a top finish. Cubarsí & Marc Casadó are rested, Eric García starts. Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, and Raphinha form the attacking trident.Barcelona XI: Szczesny, Koundé, Araújo, Eric García, Balde, Pedri, Gavi, De Jong, Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.Atalanta XI: Carnesecchi, Kolasinac, Hien, Djimsiti, Zappacosta, De Roon, Éderson, Bellanova, Pasalic, Retegui, De KetelaereGuardiola has made two key changes to the side that beat Chelsea on Saturday. John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne come into the lineup. Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush are ineligible until the knockout stages.Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland.Club Brugge XI: Mignolet, Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper, Onyedika, Jashari, Yanaken, Talbi, Jutgla, Tzolis.Brest XI: Bizot; Lage, Coulibaly, Chardonnet, Lala; Fernandes, Magnetti; Camara, Doumbia, Balde; AjorqueReal Madrid XI: Courtois, Lucas V., Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, F. Mendy, Valverde, Modric, Bellingham, Brahim, Rodrygo, Mbappé.Just hours before Manchester City’s must-win Champions League clash against Club Brugge, a fire broke out at a merchandise store outside the Etihad Stadium. Hundreds of fans were in the area, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pep Guardiola’s squad, when chaos erupted.The battle for the final places in the knockout play-offs is still undecided. The following teams must secure results in their final league-phase matches to progress:* PSV* Club Brugge* Benfica* Paris Saint-Germain* Sporting* Stuttgart* Manchester City* Dinamo Zagreb* Shakhtar DonetskThese clubs either need a win or must rely on results elsewhere to continue their Champions League journey.The battle for the final places in the knockout play-offs is still undecided. The following teams must secure results in their final league-phase matches to progress:* PSV* Club Brugge* Benfica* Paris Saint-Germain* Sporting* Stuttgart* Manchester City* Dinamo Zagreb* Shakhtar DonetskThese clubs either need a win or must rely on results elsewhere to continue their Champions League journey.Several clubs have secured their place in the top 24, ensuring they will at least feature in the knockout play-offs if they do not reach the Last 16 directly. These teams include:* Arsenal* Inter Milan* Atletico Madrid* AC Milan* Atalanta* Bayer Leverkusen* Aston Villa* Monaco* Feyenoord* Lille* Brest* Borussia Dortmund* Bayern Munich* Real Madrid* Juventus* CelticSome major clubs, including Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, still have work to do in their final matches to avoid elimination.Liverpool and Barcelona have officially secured their place in the Round of 16 as seeded teams. Both clubs have been dominant throughout the league phase and will now wait to see which unseeded teams will join them.The remaining six spots in the top eight are still open, with several clubs fighting to avoid the knockout play-off round.For fans in the United Kingdom, Champions League 2024/25 Matchday 8 can be seen on TNT Sports 5 (discovery+). Fans in Ireland can tune in via RTE, Virgin and Livescore.US-based fans will be able to see Champions League 2024/25 Matchday 8 on CBS and TUDN.All games in Champions League 2024/25 Matchday 8 have a 21:00 CET kick-off, which is local time in Spain. That means fans in the UK and Ireland can watch the game at 20:00 GMT.Fans in the USA can tune in to watch Champions League 2024/25 Matchday 8 at 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT.© Enero
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