Football/Soccer 3h Briefing
×Champions League Highlights
Real Madrid espn.com advanced to the last 16 despite a sloppy performance against Benfica. Steven Warnock questioned their defensive mentality after Vinícius Junior's return to form couldn't mask organizational issues. Meanwhile, Atalanta espn.com became the "darlings of Italian football" after a dramatic victory featuring two red cards and a decisive VAR-assisted penalty. The win salvaged Italy's Champions League pride after no other Serie A clubs made the knockout stage.
Galatasaray espn.com eliminated Juventus in extra time despite the Italian side's valiant comeback attempt. The match was marred by controversy when Lloyd Kelly bbc.com received a straight red card after what analysts called an "awful" second yellow card decision. Experts debated whether the defender's challenge was reckless or simply unlucky as Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen sealed the victory.
Last 16 Lineup Takes Shape
Alexander Sorloth bbc.com made history with a hat-trick as Atletico Madrid cruised past Club Brugge 4-1 to reach the last. Sorloth became only the second player in club history to score three goals in a Champions League match. Newcastle bbc.com also advanced comfortably, sweeping aside Qarabag 3-2 to complete a dominant 9-3 aggregate victory in the knockout phase playoffs.
Bodo/Glimt bbc.com continued their remarkable European run by defeating Inter Milan to reach the last. The Norwegian club has now beaten football giants including Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, truly "tearing up the European established order." Bayer Leverkusen bbc.com advanced with a 0-0 draw against Olympiakos, securing a 2-0 aggregate win to set up a potential clash with Bayern Munich or Arsenal.
PSG and Other Results
Paris Saint-Germain espn.com avoided a late scare against 10-man Monaco despite Mamadou Coulibaly's red card. Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored quickly to seal the tie for the French champions after a nervy 2-2 draw. The result sets up a mouthwatering last-16 clash against either Barcelona or Chelsea for PSG.