In a thrilling night of Champions League playoff action, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, and Benfica secured their spots in the last 16 of the competition, while Celtic, Atalanta, and Monaco saw their campaigns come to an end.
AC Milan's hopes were dashed as they were eliminated by Feyenoord, who advanced with a 1-1 draw in the second leg, sealing a 2-1 aggregate victory. Milan's Theo Hernandez received a second yellow card for diving, leaving his team with ten men and unable to hold onto their lead after Santiago Giménez's early goal.
Bayern Munich also faced a tough challenge against Celtic but managed to secure their place in the next round with a dramatic 1-1 draw, thanks to Alphonso Davies' stoppage-time goal. Club Brugge produced a clinical display to defeat Atalanta 3-1, progressing with a 5-2 aggregate win, while Benfica held off Monaco with a 3-3 draw to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory.
The upcoming round of 16 promises more excitement as Feyenoord will face either Inter Milan or Arsenal, Bayern Munich will take on Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid, and the draw for the next stage will be held on Friday.
Despite the disappointments and celebrations on the pitch, the unpredictability of soccer was once again on display, reminding fans and players alike of the sport's thrilling nature and the fine margins between success and heartbreak.
