UCL Matchday 8 Results 2025/26 – Full Summary & 24 Qualified Teams

The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league phase concluded on Matchday 8 (28–29 January 2026) with all 18 games played simultaneously — deciding the final standings and which teams would progress either directly to the Round of 16 or into the knockout play-offs. In Europe’s elite club competition, this final matchweek was packed with drama, surprises, heavyweights missing direct qualification, and headline results that reshaped the continental narrative.

In this comprehensive breakdown, we summarize:

• All UCL Matchday 8 results

• Which eight teams qualified directly for the Round of 16

• Which sixteen sides enter the knockout play-offs

• Tactical themes, surprises, and key performances

• Predictions accuracy and smart market implications

Let’s dive into the full summary.

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Matchday 8 Full Results (28–29 January 2026)

Here are the final scores from all 18 UEFA Champions League Matchday 8 games that concluded the league phase of the 2025/26 UCL season.

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The 8 Teams That Qualified Directly for the Round of 16

Teams finishing in the Top 8 of the UCL league phase standings advanced directly to the Round of 16, avoiding the knockout play-off round. Their league phase campaigns combined consistency, attacking output, effective defence, and crucial late victories on Matchday 8.

Here are the clubs that sealed automatic progression:

1. Arsenal (8 wins / 24 points) — Historic perfect league phase — first time ever in the modern UCL era.

2. Bayern Munich — Strong Bundesliga champions asserting dominance.

3. Liverpool — Powerful attacking display, including a 6–0 final day win.

4. Manchester City — Control and elite positional football seal top-8.

5. Chelsea — Crucial victory over Napoli secures the spot.

6. Tottenham Hotspur — Consistent defence and big results.

7. Barcelona — Late comeback and deep squad quality.

8. Sporting CP — Strong finale overturns expectations.

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16 Teams Set for Knockout Play-Offs (9th–24th)

Teams finishing ninth through 24th now enter a two-leg knockout play-off in mid-February. Winners of those ties will join the Top 8 in the Round of 16 in March.

Here are the clubs in the play-off bracket:

• Real Madrid — Legendary side rebound into knockout contention

• Inter Milan — Rebuilds momentum with key away win

• Paris Saint-Germain — Late drama keeps hopes alive

• Newcastle United — Resilient in tense draw

• Juventus — Tactical balance earns play-off place

• Atlético Madrid — Competitive despite tough group

• Atalanta — Progressive tactics secure midtable league phase

• Bayer Leverkusen — Strong Bundesliga campaign underlined

• Borussia Dortmund — Learnings fuel play-off bid

• Olympiacos — Greek power into knockout rounds

• Club Brugge — Home strength pays off

• Galatasaray — Resilience kept them competitive

• Monaco — League phase survival

• Qarabağ FK — Proved competitiveness in Europe

• Bodø/Glimt — Surprise contender now in play-offs

• Benfica — Dramatic late win earns qualification

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Teams Eliminated from European Competition

Some clubs finished outside the Top 24 and have concluded their 2025/26 Champions League journey:

• Ajax

• Athletic Club

• FC Copenhagen

• Eintracht Frankfurt

• Kairat Almaty

• Marseille

• Napoli

• Pafos

• PSV Eindhoven

• Slavia Prague

• Union Saint-Gilloise

• Villarreal

Holding such results highlights the competitive imbalance of Europe’s elite tournaments — even historically strong sides can fall short under the new league phase format.

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Matchday 8 – Tactical Trends & Key Takeaways

1. Arsenal’s Unprecedented Consistency

Arsenal became the first club in the new league phase era to win all eight matches, demonstrating elite tactical balance, high pressing turning into goals in transitions, and finite game management.

Why they succeeded:

• High pressing converted into quick breaks

• Controlled possession phases

• Midfield dominance

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2. Established Powerhouses and Unexpected Twists

Big names like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain faced setbacks — failing to secure top-eight spots — despite squad depth and European pedigree. Their draws or narrow losses on Matchday 8 were significant.

This signals increased tactical sophistication across the league phase — competitors exploit mistakes even against elite squads.

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3. Midtable Grit & Smaller Club Surprises

Clubs such as Sporting CP and Bodø/Glimt used momentum, transitional play, and defensive compactness to finish above higher-profile opponents.

These matches highlight:

• Importance of transitional counterattacks

• Set-piece impact

• Game state management

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People Also Ask (SEO Optimized Answers)

Q: Who qualified directly for the UCL Round of 16 after Matchday 8?
A: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham, Barcelona and Sporting CP clinched direct Round of 16 qualification.

Q: Which clubs enter the UCL knockout play-offs?
A: Sixteen teams including Real Madrid, PSG, Inter, Juventus, Dortmund, and Benfica will contest the knockout play-offs.

Q: Why did some big clubs miss direct qualification?
A: Draws and narrow losses on Matchday 8 saw clubs like Real Madrid and PSG outside the top eight.

Q: What happened to teams eliminated from UCL 2025/26?
A: Clubs finishing outside the top 24 — such as Ajax, Napoli, and Villarreal — end their European campaigns.

Q: How does the new UCL league phase format work?
A: The league phase places all 36 teams in a single table, with top eight going direct to Round of 16, and next sixteen entering play-offs.

Q: Were there any shock results on Matchday 8?
A: Yes — dramatic wins like Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid and Bodø/Glimt 2-1 Atletico Madrid reshaped standings.

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FAQ (5–8 Questions)

1. How many matches were played on UCL Matchday 8?
18 simultaneous fixtures across Europe decided league phase positions.

2. What is the difference between Round of 16 and Knockout Play-offs?
Top 8 go directly to Round of 16; teams ranked 9–24 contest two-leg play-offs for final Round of 16 slots.

3. Can teams eliminated in Matchday 8 return to Europa League?
Under the new format, eliminated UCL teams do not transfer to Europa League.

4. Which match had the largest margin on Matchday 8?
Liverpool’s 6–0 win was the biggest victorious margin.

5. Are the play-offs seeded?
Yes — seeds based partly on league phase ranking.

6. When do play-offs start?
First legs begin in mid-February 2026.

7. How are UCL fixtures scheduled?
UEFA sets fixtures and times; Matchday 8 featured evening simultaneous kick-offs.

8. Where can I find UCL daily tips?
Visit our Daily Football Predictions & Insights hub on FullTimePredict. (Internal link)

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Conclusion

Matchday 8 marked the dramatic culmination of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase. With dramatic results, historic records, and tactical masterclasses, the UCL now transitions into a knockout phase that promises even greater intensity and unpredictability.

From Arsenal’s perfect run to heavyweights like Real Madrid and PSG fighting in play-offs, the landscape of European football has shifted, setting up a thrilling knockout stage in February and March.

Stay tuned to FullTimePredict for live updates, expert analysis, and betting predictions throughout the next stages of the Champions League!