Champions League 2025-26 Play-off Round-Up: Galatasaray Join Atalanta, PSG and Real Madrid Advance

Victor Osimhen scored a crucial extra-time goal as Galatasaray survived a memorable comeback from ten-man Juventus to seal their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night. The Turkish giants joined Atalanta, Real Madrid and holders Paris Saint-Germain in completing the last-16 line-up for the 2025-26 season. Atalanta produced a stunning turnaround in Bergamo, overcoming a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-1 on the night (4-3 aggregate), with Lazar Samardžić converting a last-gasp penalty after three red cards were shown.

Paris Saint-Germain survived a scare against ten-man Monaco, with Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia striking within six second-half minutes to secure a 5-4 aggregate victory despite Jordan Teze’s late consolation. Real Madrid advanced past Benfica 3-1 on aggregate thanks to goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vinícius Júnior, overturning Rafa Silva’s early opener. The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final takes place on Friday, with the competition culminating in Budapest on May 30, 2026.

Complete Last-16 Line-Up

The sixteen teams who will compete in the Champions League knockout phase have been confirmed following Wednesday’s dramatic finale:

Draw date: Friday Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18, 2026 Final: May 30, 2026 (Budapest)

Atalanta 4-1 Borussia Dortmund (Aggregate: 4-3)

Samardžić Penalty Seals Remarkable Bergamo Comeback

Lazar Samardžić sealed Atalanta’s progress with the last kick of the game on a remarkable evening in Bergamo. La Dea wiped out a 2-0 first-leg deficit before the break, with the comeback capped by a dramatic finale that saw three red cards shown.

First-Half Turnaround

5th minute: Gianluca Scamacca tapped in the opener to give Atalanta hope.

Late first half: Davide Zappacosta’s deflected shot wrong-footed Gregor Kobel to level the aggregate score at 2-2 heading into the interval.

Second-Half Drama

It got even better for the hosts when Mario Pašalić met Marten de Roon’s cross to put Atalanta 3-1 up on the night and 3-2 ahead on aggregate.

75th minute: Dortmund replied through substitute Karim Adeyemi’s sublime curler to make it 3-3 on aggregate and force extra time.

Stoppage-Time Chaos

Atalanta won a penalty deep in added time, an incident that brought red cards for three players:

• Ramy Bensebaini (Dortmund)
• Nico Schlotterbeck (Dortmund)
• Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta)

Samardžić made no mistake from the spot with the last kick of the game, sending Atalanta through 4-3 on aggregate.

Match Summary

Juventus 3-2 Galatasaray (AET, Aggregate: 5-7)

Osimhen and Yılmaz Strike in Extra Time

Victor Osimhen and Barış Alper Yılmaz struck in extra time as Galatasaray held off Juventus in a pulsating encounter. The Turkish side survived despite the hosts mounting a memorable three-goal comeback.

Juventus Rally From 4-1 Down

The Bianconeri came from three goals down after the first leg to force an additional half-hour despite the dismissal of Lloyd Kelly three minutes after the interval.

First-half: Manuel Locatelli’s penalty pulled one back for Juventus.

Second-half comeback:

• Federico Gatti struck to make it 2-0 on the night
• Weston McKennie forced the ball in moments after Kenan Yıldız had hit the post to make it 5-5 on aggregate

Galatasaray’s Extra-Time Resistance

Jeremie Boga might even have put the Italian side ahead overall but could not convert. That was the cue for the visitors to finally overcome tiring opponents.

Victor Osimhen and Barış Alper Yılmaz both found the net in extra time to seal a famous 7-5 aggregate victory for Galatasaray.

Match Summary

Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Monaco (Aggregate: 5-4)

Holders Survive Ten-Man Monaco Scare

Two goals in the space of six second-half minutes helped the reigning champions into the last 16 after being pushed close by ten-man Monaco.

Monaco’s Bright Start

The visitors started brightly and were rewarded for their efforts just before half-time via Maghnes Akliouche’s neat strike to give them a 3-2 aggregate lead.

PSG’s Six-Minute Blitz

However, shortly after Monaco’s Mamadou Coulibaly received a second booking, the tide turned:

Home captain Marquinhos steered in a Désiré Doué cross to level the aggregate score at 3-3.

Six minutes later: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pounced on a rebound to give Paris the lead on the night and a 4-3 aggregate advantage.

Nervy Ending

Substitute Jordan Teze made it a nervy ending for Luis Enrique’s men with an emphatic finish deep in added time to make it 5-4 on aggregate, but the hosts held on.

Match Summary

Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (Aggregate: 3-1)

Vinícius and Tchouaméni Send Madrid Through

Vinícius Júnior and Aurélien Tchouaméni struck as Real Madrid advanced to set up a potential last-16 tie with Sporting CP or Manchester City.

Silva Levels on Aggregate

14th minute: Rafa Silva brought the visitors level on aggregate by prodding in the opener at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Tchouaméni’s Clinical Response

16th minute: Tchouaméni met Federico Valverde’s pass with a clinical finish from the edge of the box for his first goal in the competition proper, just 120 seconds after Silva’s strike.

Second-Half Drama

Home goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois denied Richard Ríos before the break and Rafa Silva shot against the crossbar after the restart as Benfica pushed for another equalizer.

Vinícius Seals Victory

80th minute: Vinícius Júnior surged on to Valverde’s clever pass and slotted in with ten minutes remaining to seal a 3-1 aggregate victory.

Match Summary

Champions League 2025-26 Knockout Phase Schedule

Dates to Remember

What’s Next

Friday’s Draw

The draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final takes place on Friday. All sixteen qualified teams will learn their potential paths to the Budapest final on May 30.

Potential Matchups

With heavyweight clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern München, Real Madrid and holders Paris Saint-Germain all through, the draw promises blockbuster ties.

Round of 16 Begins March 10/11

The knockout phase begins with the first legs of the round of 16 on March 10 and 11, with return legs scheduled for March 17 and 18.

Read More: Champions League 2025-26 Play-off Round-up: Atlético, Bodø/Glimt Advance to Round of 16

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