“LIVERPOOL, Arsenal and Aston Villa finally know which two teams they might face in the Champions League last 16. The big draw for the first true knockout phase is at 11am on Friday – after the midweek play-off results at last made the format of the new-look competition appear more straightforward! 8 Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
The big draw for the first true knockout phase is at 11am on Friday – after the midweek play-off results at last made the format of the new-look competition appear more straightforward!
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Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick helped Real Madrid KO Man CityCredit: Getty
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Martin Odegaard & Co face a tough last-16 tie if Arsenal are to taste gloryCredit: Rex
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Mo Salah and Liverpool will take on PSG or BenficaCredit: PA
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Ollie Watkins hopes Villa’s impressive European adventure continuesCredit: GettyKylian Mbappe’s hat-trick sent Manchester City crashing out 6-3 on aggregate after a 3-1 loss at Real Madrid.
But the Prem’s other three representatives had already qualified automatically after finishing in the top eight in the group stage, with Liverpool going through as top seeds.
The other teams into the last 16 without needing the play-offs were Barcelona, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Lille.
And following the midweek action, the Champions League takes the shape of a standard cup competition.
Bayern Munich broke Celtic’s hearts on Tuesday, with Benfica, Club Brugge and Feyenoord also reaching the last 16 the same night.
And on Wednesday they were joined by Real, Borussia Dortmund, PSG and PSV, who edged out Juventus 4-3 on aggregate after extra time.
It all means Liverpool will face a mammoth task against PSG, who thrashed Brest 10-0 on aggregate, or Benfica.
Arsenal take on Dutch opposition – either Feyenoord or Juventus’ extra-time conquerors PSV.
Here’s what is coming up next – with Liverpool boss Arne Slot perhaps hoping to avoid PSG.
PSG vs Liverpool/Barcelona
Club Brugge vs Lille/Aston Villa
Real Madrid vs Atletico/Leverkusen
Benfica vs Barcelona/Liverpool
Borussia Dortmund vs Aston Villa/Lille
Bayern Munich/Leverkusen vs Atletico
Feyenoord vs Inter/Arsenal
PSV vs Arsenal/Inter Milan
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And eighth-ranked Villa meet Borussia Dortmund (10th), who KO’d Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, or Club Brugge (24th).
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real face Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
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Barca’s Lamine Yamal is dreaming of his first Champions League crownCredit: RexPep Guardiola’s City had begun a dramatic Wednesday night by leaving record-breaking goal-getter Erling Haaland on the bench.
And they ended it dumped out in humiliating fashion at the Bernabeu.
But for the remaining trio of Prem giants, it’s all eyes on Friday.
Meanwhile, Guardiola admitted: “After we conceded a goal we didn’t defend well.
“But we accept it – the best team won. Now we focus on the Premier League.”
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Borussia Dortmund celebrated going through after a 0-0 home draw sunk Sporting Lisbon 3-0 on aggregate in the play-offsCredit: AFP
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was one of seven scorers on the night as PSG destroyed Brest 7-0 to triumph 10-0 over the two legsCredit: AFP
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PSV scorer Ivan Perisic tangles with Juve’s Lloyd Kelly as the Dutch side beat the Italian giant 3-1 on the night, 4-3 on aggregateCredit: Rex