The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we will get Manchester City against either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the playoffs.

Manchester City nearly crashed out, but came from behind in the second half, and in the end, all European giants reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

Real Madrid hope to avoid Manchester City in the next round, manager Carlo Ancelotti said after they beat Brest 3-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League playoff where they will be seeded. The holders will face either Celtic or Manchester City in the two-legged playoff on February,

Manchester City squeezed through to the Champions League play-off round with a 3-1 comeback win against Club Brugge.

Manchester City flirted with a disastrous exit from the Champions League before rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win game.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze, but the smell of smoke remained in the air for some time afterward as supporters waited to be let inside.

Manchester beat Club Brugge to advance to the playoffs of the Champions League 2024-25 while Liverpool and Barcelona were the only teams already guaranteed a place in the top eight and automatic progress to the round of 16 as they stayed first and second.

Rodrygo added to his scoring streak with Real Madrid on Wednesday but the Spanish powerhouse didn't get all the goals it needed to finish high enough in the league phase of the Champions League and avoid a possible encounter with Manchester City in the playoffs.

The group stage at the UEFA Champions League officially came to a close on Wednesday and the standings are now final. Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal,

Twenty-four teams booked their spot in the Champions League knockout stage following the conclusion of the league phase Jan. 29.

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Man City avoids elimination in Champions League and advances to playoffs with 3-1 win over Club Brugge. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.