PSG & Real Madrid through to UCL round of 16
The match turned in the second half when Monaco defender Mamadou Coulibaly was sent off, leaving the visitors with 10 men.
KATHMANDU: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid have secured their places in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 following thrilling second-leg playoff encounters on Wednesday night.
PSG Survive Monaco Scare to Advance on Aggregate
PSG progressed despite a 2–2 draw against AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes, winning 5–4 on aggregate.
Monaco took the lead just before halftime through Maghnes Akliouche, putting pressure on the hosts.
The match turned in the second half when Monaco defender Mamadou Coulibaly was sent off, leaving the visitors with 10 men.
PSG capitalised immediately. Marquinhos equalised in the 60th minute before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put the French champions ahead six minutes later.
Monaco pulled one back through Jordan Teze in stoppage time, but it proved only a consolation as PSG held on to seal qualification.
Real Madrid Overcome Benfica
Real Madrid defeated SL Benfica 2–1 in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, advancing 3–1 on aggregate.
Benfica opened the scoring in the 14th minute after a defensive error by Raúl Asencio. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved the initial effort, but Rafa Silva reacted quickest to score the rebound.
Real responded almost immediately as Aurélien Tchouaméni finished from a pass by Federico Valverde to level the match.
The winner came in the 80th minute when Vinícius Júnior struck to seal Real Madrid’s victory and confirm their place in the last 16.
Champions League Round of 16 Line-up Completed
Alongside PSG and Real Madrid, Galatasaray and Atalanta have also qualified for the Champions League Round of 16.
With the playoff stage now complete, the full lineup for the knockout phase of Europe’s premier club competition is confirmed, setting the stage for another round of high-stakes continental drama.
