Benfica beat Real 4-2 in their final game of the league phase on Wednesday, with a 98th-minute goal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.

Premier League clubs have flexed their muscle across Europe, with five English sides finishing in the top eight of the Champions League group phase. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea all recorded higher win percentages in Europe than in this season’s Premier League.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisted Wednesday that a "catastrophic" run of Champions League matches against some of Europe's best sides had set his team up perfectly for the play-off round as he shrugged off suggestions not qualifying directly for the last 16 was a failure.

The record 15-time European champions fell to a 4-2 defeat at Jose Mourinho's Benfica, finishing ninth in the league phase table.

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe admitted his team were not consistent enough for a top eight spot as his side slipped into the Champions League play-off round on Wednesday.

Barcelona stormed back in the second half to claim a 4-1 victory over Copenhagen at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, sealing a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United were forced into the Champions League playoff round after a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes in Wednesday's final round of the league phase left both outside of direct qualification for the last 16.

Arsenal became the first side to win all eight matches in the Champions League league phase as the Gunners secured top spot with a 3-2 win over Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty on Wednesday.

Mohamed Salah ended his Liverpool goal drought as the Reds crushed Qarabag 6-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League last 16 and ease the pressure on Arne Slot.

Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League with the winning brace in Wednesday's 3-2 win at Napoli which secured a top-eight finish and eliminated his team's Italian hosts.

Jose Mourinho condemned his former employers to a ninth-placed finish in the league phase as his Benfica side beat Real Madrid 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a stoppage-time header by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin keeping the Portuguese alive in the competition.

Mourinho's Benfica side will face Real Madrid on Wednesday in a make-or-break Champions League encounter.

Manchester City's players must step up to help Erling Haaland end his goal drought, manager Pep Guardiola said on the eve of his team's crucial Champions League match against Galatasaray.

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo said Tuesday it is "crazy" to compare teenage winger Lamine Yamal to club great Lionel Messi.

All 18 matches in the final round of games will be played simultaneously next Wednesday, January 28.

Manchester City suffered a humiliating 3-1 defeat against Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday as the Norwegian minnows caused one of the biggest shocks in Champions League history.

Arsenal are top of the standings on maximum points and the only undefeated team in the competition going into the penultimate matchday of the league phase.

Arsenal's consistent performance should convince the players that they can achieve something historic this season, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday, with the club in contention for four trophies.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot insists his reigning English champions can still do "special things" this season as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Arsenal following a faltering start to their title defence.

Manchester United are not planning any comings or goings in the January transfer window despite chasing for a place in the Champions League next season, manager Ruben Amorim said on Friday.