"The league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League has brought plenty of thrills and incredible goals, but the knockout rounds are fast approaching. We're less than one week away from knowing which 24 teams will advance for a shot at European glory. But first, the final matchweek of the league phase must be played, and the stakes could hardly be higher for some of the continent's biggest clubs. Liverpool, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain are all competing for top-eight spots, which would send them straight to the round of 16. ManchesterCity also find themselves among that group, having suffered a shocking 3-1 loss to Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday."
"The games will all take place at 3 p.m. ET (8 p.m. GMT) on Jan. 28 for what promises to be two hours of pure chaos. Every goal could make a huge difference in determining who moves on and whose European dreams come to a swift, untimely end. As a reminder, the teams that finish first through eighth get to skip the knockout playoff round. The clubs that place ninth through 24th will go head-to-head in that round in February, while those in 25th to 36th are eliminated. And just like last year, no teams will drop into the Europa League from the Champions League."
The final league matchweek on Jan. 28 will determine which 24 teams advance in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. Top-eight finishers bypass the knockout playoff round and go straight to the round of 16, while teams placing ninth through 24th enter the knockout playoff in February. Teams finishing 25th through 36th are eliminated, and no clubs will drop into the Europa League from the Champions League this season. Major clubs including Liverpool, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and ManchesterCity face high stakes, with every goal potentially altering qualification outcomes. Several teams are already guaranteed at least a playoff place.
Read at ESPN.com
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