The Champions League knockout stage is always a time for drama, and this year’s Playoff Round was no exception. From heart-stopping finishes to individual brilliance, the games delivered some unforgettable moments. Kylian Mbappé reminded us all of his world-class status with a hat-trick that left Manchester City reeling. At the same time, Celtic nearly pulled off one of the most improbable results in recent memory before Bayern Munich snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Paris Saint-Germain continued their dominance with an eye-catching 7-0 demolition of Brest, showcasing their depth and firepower in front of a packed Parc des Princes.
Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven emerged victorious in a thrilling extra-time clash with Juventus, overturning a first-leg deficit and securing their spot in the last 16. With so many twists and turns, this round has set the stage for what promises to be a captivating remainder of the competition. Whether it was the brilliance of Mbappé or the resilience of underdogs like Celtic and PSV, the Playoff Round was a showcase of why the Champions League is regarded as the pinnacle of European club football. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from this week’s thrilling encounters.
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Kylian Mbappé tears Manchester City apart and shows why he’s still the best player in the world
Kylian Mbappé’s performance against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabéu was nothing short of spectacular, and it’s hard to argue with the notion that he’s still the world’s best player. It’s been a season of adjustments for the French forward since his high-profile move to Real Madrid, but on this night, he showcased all the reasons why Madrid shelled out for him.
The 21st hat-trick of his career was a clinical masterpiece, beginning with an easy lob over Ederson after capitalizing on City’s high defensive line and lack of pressure on the ball. Mbappé’s second goal was a display of his composure, twisting around Josko Gvardiol to create space and finish with his right foot. The third was a trademark Mbappé goal, as he glided past Phil Foden with a stepover and slotted it home low with his left foot. His pace, vision, and finishing abilities made City’s defense look amateurish. It was a performance of the highest caliber, reaffirming Mbappé’s place at the top of world football, and a night that Madrid fans will remember for years to come.
Celtic get their heart broken by Bayern Munich
In what was surely one of the most dramatic Champions League knockout ties of the season, Celtic were just 47 seconds away from forcing Bayern Munich into extra time, only for Alphonso Davies to break their hearts with a late, last-gasp goal. Celtic, playing away in Munich, defied all odds and led 1-0 in the dying moments of stoppage time after a shock first-leg lead at Celtic Park. Nicolas Kuhn’s header had given them a shock 2-1 advantage in the tie, and the Scottish side had resolutely held Bayern at bay for the majority of the match.
Bayern, who have made a habit of dispatching teams at the Allianz Arena, looked flat and uninspired for much of the game, failing to break through Celtic’s disciplined defense. Just as it seemed they might hold on for an improbable result, Davies capitalized on a defensive error, sending Bayern through with an emotional winner. The defeat will sting for manager Vincent Kompany and his team, but it was a performance that proved they belong at the highest level, even if the final result wasn’t in their favour.
PSG batter Brest in the all-French clash
Paris Saint-Germain’s 7-0 demolition of Brest was a statement of intent, as Christophe Galtier’s side advanced to the Champions League Round of 16 in emphatic fashion. With a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg, PSG wasted no time in asserting their dominance at the Parc des Princes, putting Brest to the sword with an onslaught of goals. Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were the early architects of the rout, while the second half saw PSG’s depth come to the fore, with goals from Vitinha, Désiré Doué, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Ramos, and Senny Mayulu.
The young Mayulu’s strike was particularly special, as the 18-year-old became PSG’s youngest-ever scorer in a Champions League knockout game. In what was a record-setting night, PSG became the first team in competition history to have seven different goalscorers in a single match. The victory not only showcased PSG’s firepower but also highlighted their squad depth, with substitutes making significant contributions. This ruthless performance underlines the club’s European ambitions, and now they await either Liverpool or Barcelona in the next round, making the path to glory even more thrilling.
Kylian Mbappe leads the line in our Best XI of the Champions League Playoffs after his hat-track last night!
— 365Scores (@365Scores) February 20, 2025
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PSV sink Juventus
In a dramatic knockout encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, PSV Eindhoven completed a stunning comeback to knock Juventus out of the Champions League with a 4-3 aggregate win after extra time. Juventus entered the Philips Stadion with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg but were quickly put on the back foot as Ivan Perisic’s second-half strike brought the tie level. With Juventus looking to restore their advantage, Timothy Weah’s equalizer seemed to breathe new life into the Dutch side, but just as quickly, Ismael Saibari gave PSV the lead, leveling the aggregate score at 3-3 and forcing extra time.
The drama reached its peak in the 98th minute, when Ryan Flamingo latched onto a defensive mix-up and slotted home the winner. Juventus, who had been favourites going into the tie, found themselves on the wrong side of the result, with the Dutch side showing resilience and composure in the face of adversity. Despite a relatively slow start, PSV found their rhythm when it mattered most, and the victory was a testament to their determination and belief, sending them into the next round with a well-deserved triumph.
The Round of 16 Draw
There are some seriously tasty fixtures in this Round of 16 Draw. The Madrid Derby. Wow. An all-German clash as Leverkusen take on Bayern Munich. PSG battling Liverpool. This is going to be a Round of 16 to remember!
The road to Munich has been drawn!!
— 365Scores (@365Scores) February 21, 2025
Who got the luckiest draw? And who got the toughest? Let the debates begin!pic.twitter.com/IcAMX9rzS2
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyHelfgott1 on Twitter (X)
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