This past Tuesday and Wednesday were quite eventful in the world of soccer: the second-to-last match day of the Champions League – soccer’s biggest club tournament, played out dramatically with clashes between the world’s best in every corner of the globe. The tournament bracket is set up as follows: 36 of the best teams from across Europe are added to a single league. In this league, the top 8 teams at the end of the 8 “matchdays” automatically qualify for the final round, which is an elimination tournament featuring 16 teams. The other 28 teams compete in a play-in to fill the last 8 slots. Most recently, matchday 7 concluded, with numerous results worth reporting.
Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon pulled off a massive upset against the reigning champions Paris St. Germain. This win bumps Sporting within striking distance of the top 8. Across Europe in England, Arsenal secured a massive win against Italian giants Inter Milan with a 3-1 victory. A Liverpool team in much need of 3 points emphatically battered French side Marseille 3-0 on enemy soil to bump them up to 4th in the table. Lastly, Spanish giants Real Madrid put 6 goals, including a brace (2 goals) from star striker Kylian Mbappe, past a young and talented AS Monaco side, to push themselves to safety in 3rd place.
Goal scorer and match-winner Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid is celebrating the second of his two goals. Photo: FOTMOB
However, aside from Arsenal, currently top of the table, and Bayern Munich, a close second, none of the remaining 8 slots are at all secure. Just 2 points separate 3rd place from 12th, meaning in the final match week, everything is up for grabs. Every team will be putting their life on the line because this could be where many Champions League campaigns end. Some games to look out for are Paris St. Germain vs. Newcastle United, Newcastle are within striking distance of the top 8 and Paris are in 6th, easily replaceable in the top 8 and Benfica vs Man City, Benfica is a powerful Portuguese team with a lot of history, and Man City despite having an amazing season are coming of two losses in a row and lacking confidence.
Regardless of what happens, it is sure to be an exciting matchday, full of goals, controversy, drama, and last-minute heroics. Standings this tight leading up to the final game have never been seen before. 12 teams competing for the final 6 safety slots are sure to bring the excitement, and while the table may seem set for the next round, I assure you, there will be some changes. Stay tuned because you won’t want to miss this upcoming match week, the last match week for a couple of weeks.
