Bayern München left it late on Tuesday, February 18, to beat Celtic and book their place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, where they will be joined by Benfica, Club Brugge and Feyenoord after they also won their knockout phase play-off ties on Tuesday. UEFA.com rounds up all the action.
Bayern Munchen 1 Celtic 1 (Agg 3-2):
Alphonso Davies struck in the fourth minute of added time to edge Bayern through at the expense of Celtic, who looked for more than half an hour like taking this tie to extra time.
After missing four first-half chances, Nicolas Kühn took advantage of Minjae Kim’s lapse to put the Scottish champions ahead just after the hour. The visitors very nearly hung on for the additional 30 minutes, with Davies finally bundling in after Leon Goretzka had been denied by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel late on.
*Player of the Match: Kasper Schmeichel (Celtic).
Atalanta 1 Club Brugge 3 (Agg 2-5):
Two Chemsdine Talbi goals inside the first 27 minutes helped Brugge reach the last 16 in style.
Davide Zappacosta hit a post for Atalanta after the 19-year-old’s double, but Ferran Jutglà’s exceptional long-range finish put the visitors 3-0 ahead at the break.
Ademola Lookman replied seconds after his half-time introduction and Zappacosta tested the woodwork again before Simon Mignolet saved a Lookman penalty. Home captain Rafael Tolói was dismissed late on.
*Player of the Match: Ardon Jashari (Club Brugge).
Benfica 3 Monaco 3 (Agg 4-3):
Orkun Kökçü’s late strike helped Benfica squeeze through to the last 16 after a dramatic contest in Lisbon.
Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s emphatic finish midway through the first half put the hosts in control, only for Takumi Minamino and Eliesse Ben Seghir to hit back either side of half-time to level the tie for Monaco.
Vangelis Pavlidis’ coolly-taken penalty edged the Eagles back in front on aggregate, before substitute George Ilenikhena netted under a minute after coming on.
With extra time looming, Kökçü was able to guide in an Alvaro Carreras cross with just over ten minutes remaining.
*Player of the Match: Orkun Kökçü (Benfica)
Milan 1 Feyenoord 1 (Agg 1-2):
Feyenoord are through to the Champions League round of 16 for the first time after securing the draw they required at Stadio San Siro to progress on aggregate. The visitors were stunned after just 37 seconds as their former striker Santiago Giménez bundled in to level the tie overall.
However, Milan were reduced to ten men when Theo Hernández was shown a second yellow card six minutes into the second half. Julián Carranza then came off the bench to power in a header from a fine Hugo Bueno cross and seal an aggregate victory for the Eredivisie side.
*Player of the Match: Dávid Hancko (Feyenoord).
Wednesday’s (February 19, 2025) matches:
Borussia Dortmund vs Sporting CP (6.45pm Nigeria time).
Paris Saint-Germain vs Brest.
PSV Eindhoven vs Juventus.
Real Madrid vs Manchester City.
*All other kick-offs 9pm Nigeria time, unless otherwise stated.
