Real Sociedad (Spain) – PSG (France) – 1:2 (on aggregate – 1:4)
The second leg in Spain kept up the drama. Paris Saint-Germain arrived with a tense backdrop after a 2:0 home win, facing Real Sociedad amid ongoing rumors about the future of Kylian Mbappé, who indicated his intention to depart next summer. The atmosphere around the squad was heavy, yet the match itself demanded focus and precision on the pitch.
Luis Enrique, the PSG head coach, continued to rotate his lineup in the French league, insisting the team must adapt to life without the focal striker. Still, the Champions League encounter carried a different tempo, with Mbappé taking a central role in shaping the outcome. He demonstrated individual brilliance, slipping past defenders on counterattacks and finding the net twice—once in each half—securing a 2:0 win for PSG in the game and a decisive 4:1 on aggregate.
Real Sociedad, fielding a squad that included players of notable versatility, showed resilience and attacking intent. They generated chances and pressed high, but the absence of Arsen Zakharyan, who was sidelined by injury, was felt in the final third. The Basques pressed with confidence and created moments that suggested they could overturn the tie, yet the decisive moments slipped away.
Their efforts culminated in a late strike from Mikel Merino, a moment that offered the Basque fans a small consolation on a night dominated by Paris’s efficiency. The final scoreline stood at 1:2, leaving the aggregate result in PSG’s favor and the tie effectively sealed well before the final whistle.
“Bayern” (Germany) – “Lazio” (Italy) – 3:0 (overall – 3:1)
The first match had already marked a historic beat for Lazio, as they became the first Italian side to knock Bayern out of European competition in 13 years. That result set the stage for a tense return leg, with Bayern determined to respond in Munich and reclaim momentum at home. The Bundesliga leaders faced a challenging season, sitting well behind rivals in the league while eyeing success on the continental stage as a potential salvaging narrative.
In Rome, Lazio had offered a bold plan, but Munich’s energy and tactical discipline gradually tilted the balance. The hosts controlled the tempo, pressing high and moving the ball with purpose. Bayern’s full-backs, especially on the left, pushed deep into opponent territory, creating constant threats and setting up quality scoring opportunities.
In the 39th minute, a sweeping move from the left side culminated in a dangerous ball into the box, followed by a VAR-adjacent moment that kept the attack alive. The first goal arrived as Harry Kane converted a rebound opportunity, finishing decisively as the ball found its way into the net after a deflection from a blocked shot. The scoreline opened a path for Bayern to push forward with renewed aggression, and a second goal followed from a corner where Matthijs de Ligt met a cross with a powerful volley, steering the ball into the far corner and setting the stage for a late shift in tempo. Thomas Müller contributed to the buildup and helped steer the ball home, extending the advantage just before halftime.
The second half saw Lazio press forward with intent, yet Bayern maintained control and superior attacking depth. Despite moments of danger from the visitors, Bayern’s lead remained intact, denying Lazio’s attempts to overturn the tie. The decisive moment arrived later when Kane appeared again, striking from close range to cap a commanding performance. The 3:0 victory closed out the tie with Bayern advancing, though the season had already presented significant challenges for the defending champions. Continental success remained a possible bright spot amid a mixed domestic campaign.
Real Madrid (Spain) – RB Leipzig (Germany) – 1:1 (on aggregate – 2:1)
Real Madrid’s latest European test saw them narrowly hold on to an advantage after a 1:0 win in Germany, with Leipzig creating danger and pushing Madrid to defend resolutely. The German side produced several clear chances, and a goal was controversially annulled, keeping the aggregate score tight as the teams prepared for the return leg in Madrid.
From the opening minutes, Leipzig pressed with urgency, while Real Madrid opted for a controlled approach, prioritizing compact defense and calculated breaks. Andrei Lunin, Madrid’s goalkeeper, faced a flurry of activity and had to make crucial saves to maintain the leg’s balance. The visiting side looked capable of turning the tide, signaling a tense showdown in the second leg.
In the second half, Marco Rose’s men found a sharper rhythm, and Madrid responded with their usual resilience. Eduardo Camavinga was substituted for Rodrigo, signaling a change in attacking posture. Jude Bellingham initiated a quick transition that culminated in Vinícius Júnior delivering a decisive pass after a swift sequence—Vinícius needed only one touch to finish, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper for a striking moment of quality. Leipzig answered with renewed energy, testing the Madrid defense and forcing a series of set plays that culminated in Willi Orban equalizing from close range after a cross from David Raum.
As the clock wound down, Real Madrid faced mounting pressure. Dani Olmo nearly broke the stalemate with a shot grazing the crossbar, and Leipzig continued to push for an upset. Yet Madrid clung to their narrow advantage, defending with focus and nerve to preserve the aggregate lead. The match illustrated the high level of competitive intensity in Europe, with both teams showing strength and ambition as the tie reached its conclusion.
“Manchester City” (England) – “Copenhagen” (Denmark) – 3:1 (overall – 6:2)
Manchester City took an early lead in Denmark and carried that momentum into the return leg in Manchester. The Danish side demonstrated a bold approach and achieved a historic milestone by reaching the quarterfinals, signaling a bright future for their squad as a growing force in European competition. City moved with crisp rhythm, using quick movement off set pieces to press Copenhagen back and create scoring chances.
Eight minutes in, City built a 2:0 advantage with clinical finishing from a pair of set-piece routines. A right-wing cross from Julián Álvarez met Manuel Akanji for a precise volley, while a corner from the left allowed Álvarez to pick up a rebound and guide the ball near the top corner, though the latter effort required a slight deflection that did not distract the keeper. The attacking sequence highlighted City’s efficiency in converting opportunities created from standard situations.
Copenhagen replied through Mohamed Elyounoussi, finishing off a well-worked move that showcased their counter-attacking potential. Before halftime, Haaland asserted his influence from the penalty spot, demonstrating his poise and finishing power to steer the ball into the near corner. The two teams carried a 3:1 score into the break, and City, with the aggregate at 6:2, closed out the tie with a composed second-half performance that reinforced their status as a title contender.
The result reinforced City’s dominance in European competition and underscored Copenhagen’s impressive progress in the tournament, even as the round came to a close. The match left both sides with plenty of positives as they shifted focus to domestic duties and the quest for further advancement in the competition, which remains open and highly competitive.