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Talking points
Aston Villa vs Paris Saint-Germain
Aston Villa qualified in style, defeating Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregate. They sealed the tie with a dominant second-leg victory by 3-0, their first quarter-final in the European Cup or Champions League since 1983. Paris Saint-Germain, however, qualified in much more dramatic style, defeating Liverpool by penalties after a 1-1 aggregate tie. PSG, having played so poorly in the group stage that they were in the 15th position, caught their timing at the right moment and now become a serious force.
Arsenal vs Real Madrid
Arsenal coasted through the quarter-finals after thrashing PSV Eindhoven 9-3 on aggregate. Their first-leg victory by 7-1 all but wrapped up the tie early, and they coasted through a second-leg 2-2 draw with ease. Real Madrid enjoyed a far more hair-raising journey, scrapping through city neighbors Atletico Madrid through a 2-2 aggregate tie before keeping their nerve in a penalty shoot-out win. It was another episode in their dominance over Atletico, having eliminated them from the competition for the fifth time in 11 years.
Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich
Inter Milan qualified with a comprehensive aggregate victory against Feyenoord by 4-1. They showcased their attacking prowess in both matches, making their qualification easy. Bayer Leverkusen were overwhelmed by Bayern Munich with a 5-0 aggregate. Their clinical finishing in front of goal and defensive strength make them one of the favourites in the competition.
Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona
Borussia Dortmund beat Lille in a nail-biting match, winning by a margin of 3-2 in aggregate. They kept their nerves intact during anxious moments but saw the tie through and moved through to the next round. Barcelona, on the other hand, had an easier passage, beating Benfica by a margin of 4-1 in aggregate. Their convincing victories in both ties reaffirmed their title credentials.
Aston Villa and Arsenal would play against each other in the semi-finals if both teams win their quarter-finals, with one English club guaranteed in the finals.
Talking points
Alavarez’s VAR Debate
Atletico Madrid’s loss in the Champions League against Real Madrid was tainted by a rare, disputed VAR decision. Julian Alvarez’s penalty kick that would have tied the shootout at 2-2 was negated after a review upheld a double touch infraction. Alvarez slipping and inadvertently striking the ball with two contacts was the play that left Atletico players, fans, and even coach Diego Simeone in dismay. While the rule explicitly prohibits a player from striking the ball with two contacts prior to another player, the rare instance of the infraction raised questions about the application of VAR in such moment-by-moment decisions.
Much to Atletico’s chagrin, Real Madrid took advantage, winning the match in a 4-2 shootout. It was another instance in which VAR was at the center in a big-match setting. The incident raises larger questions about the use of technology in football—is it ensuring that the laws are enforced, but at what cost in reducing the spontaneity of the sport? Atletico fans will certainly feel shortchanged, but as history tells us, the narrow margins in football dictate its most memorable occasions.
Sterling Dazzles PSV in Battle for Greater Role at Arsenal
Raheem Sterling was at his best in Arsenal’s Champions League tie with PSV Eindhoven, with two assists in a match that ended in a 2-2 draw but sealed a dominant 9-3 aggregate victory. In his appearances this season, Sterling made history by becoming the first English player in history to have scored for four clubs in the competition, showing his class in the big time. His display is timely for Arsenal, whose attacking resources were running short through injury and whose hopes in Europe were in the balance.
Still, his future is far from guaranteed. A late arrival means he is likely to miss the first leg against Real Madrid, another setback in his quest for regular playing time. But with attacking players injured, former pros and experts believe this is his chance to prove himself in Mikel Arteta’s team. Sterling himself is optimistic, insisting he is ready to make his contribution whenever he is called, be it for a matter of minutes, or the whole game, as Arsenal pursue medals in the later stages of the competition.
Dortmund Come from Behind to Defeat Lille and Qualify for Quarterfinals of Champions League
Borussia Dortmund came from behind in dramatic fashion with a 2-1 victory against Lille, reaching the quarterfinals in the Champions League with a 3-2 aggregate. In the early stages, Lille were in front after Jonathan David scored in the fifth minute, with the French club in the lead in the tie. Dortmund came back in the second half, with captain Emre Can converting from a penalty after Serhou Guirassy was fouled.
The turn around was made by Maximilian Beier in minute number 65, striking in after Guirassy played him through, his fourth assist in the competition. Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved from David and Hakon Haraldsson as Lille attempted the equalizer. Dortmund, having reached quarter finals for the ninth consecutive year, now face Barcelona in quarterfinals, with Guirassy poised to play a central role after equalling Mohamed Salah’s record for most African player goal involvements in a single Champions League campaign.
Harry Kane is now Champion League Record Breaker as Bayern Munich Qualify for Quarterfinals against Leverkusen
Harry Kane became record holder for most English goals in a single Champions League campaign with his 10th in a 2-0 win for Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen, winning the tie with a 5-0 aggregate win. Kane scored in the 52nd minute after capitalising on a defensive error by finding the net from close range. Alphonso Davies doubled the lead in the 71st minute, converting a cross from Kane. Leverkusen, with playmaker Florian Wirtz absent, were unable to create chances and were unable to stage a comeback. The win took Bayern through to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the 35th time and set up a second round tie against Inter Milan. Kane, in his first year in Germany, is now the strong favourite for the tournament’s Golden Boot.
When Are the 2024/25 Champions League Knockout Stages?
- Round of 16: March 4-5 and March 11-12, 2025
- Quarter-Finals: April 8-9 and April 15-16, 2025
- Semi-Finals: April 29-30 and May 6-7, 2025
- Final: May 31, 2025
Where Is the 2025 Champions League Final Being Held?
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final will be held at the Allianz Arena in Munich on May 31, 2025.
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The article was last updated on Saturday 8th March 2025
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
