Barcelona Secures Direct Qualification to Champions League Last 16
28 January 2026at22:14
The league phase of the UEFA Champions League concluded on Wednesday evening, following 18 matches played as part of the final (eighth) round.
The final round saw a major surprise as Real Madrid failed to secure direct qualification to the last 16. They will now have to compete in the playoffs after a 4-2 defeat against hosts Benfica.
Barcelona, however, clinched their direct qualification spot for the Round of 16 following a 4-1 victory over visiting Danish side Copenhagen.
The eight teams that have directly qualified for the last 16 are as follows:
1- Arsenal
2- Bayern Munich
3- Liverpool
4- Tottenham
5- Barcelona
6- Chelsea
7- Sporting CP
8- Manchester City
Q&A
How did Barcelona secure direct qualification for the Champions League Last 16?
Barcelona clinched their direct spot in the Champions League Round of 16 by achieving a decisive 4-1 victory over visiting Danish side Copenhagen in their final league phase match.
What implications does Real Madrid's recent Champions League result have for their progression?
Real Madrid's 4-2 defeat against Benfica prevented their direct Champions League Last 16 qualification. They will now face the additional challenge of competing in the playoffs to advance further.
