The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League playoff round concluded on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, with dramatic results confirming the final teams advancing to the Round of 16, Softfootball reports.
Atlético Madrid defeated Club Brugge KV 4–1 in the second leg after a 3–3 first-leg draw, sealing qualification on a 7–4 aggregate score.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen played a 0–0 draw with Olympiacos F.C. but advanced 2–0 on aggregate following their first-leg victory.
Norwegian side FK Bodø/Glimt continued their fairytale run by defeating Inter Milan 2–1 in the second leg after a 3–1 first-leg triumph, knocking the Italian giants out.
Newcastle United completed a dominant 9–3 aggregate win over Qarabağ FK, following a 6–1 first-leg win with a 3–2 second-leg victory.
Atalanta BC overturned a 2–0 first-leg deficit to eliminate Borussia Dortmund, winning 4–1 in the return leg to progress 4–3 on aggregate.
Galatasaray S.K. advanced despite losing 3–2 after extra time to Juventus, progressing 7–5 on aggregate after their 5–2 first-leg advantage.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain moved on after a 2–2 draw with AS Monaco FC, having won the first leg 3–2. Real Madrid CF also progressed, defeating SL Benfica 2–1 in the second leg after a 1–0 first-leg win.
Possible Round of 16 matchups include Atlético Madrid or Galatasaray facing either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur, while Newcastle and PSG could meet Chelsea F.C. or FC Barcelona.
Leverkusen and Atalanta may face Arsenal F.C. or FC Bayern München, while Bodø/Glimt and Real Madrid could draw Manchester City F.C. or Sporting CP.
The final pairings will be officially confirmed during Friday’s draw on 27 February 2026.
