UCL Knockout Race: Arsenal and Bayern Through to Last 16, While Giants Battle for Final 6 Direct Spots

The UEFA Champions League league phase is heading for a dramatic finish. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have officially secured their places in the Round of 16 as top-eight finishers. However, the race for the remaining six direct qualification spots is wide open, with heavyweights like Real Madrid, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Barcelona still needing positive results in the final matchday to avoid the grueling two-legged play-off round.

Meanwhile, historical powerhouses such as Ajax, Benfica, and Bayer Leverkusen have been relegated to the play-off tier, having lost any chance of a direct top-eight finish. At the bottom of the table, the journey has ended for Eintracht Frankfurt and Villarreal, who are officially eliminated from the competition. All eyes are now on the 8th matchday to see who joins the elite and who will have to fight through the play-offs.