The UEFA Champions League knockout stage kicked off with high drama on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, as four exciting first-leg matches set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling round of 16. Teams from across Europe battled it out, with several matches featuring late twists and dramatic goals. Let’s dive into the highlights of an unforgettable night in European football.
Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid: A Stunner at the Etihad
The clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid was nothing short of spectacular. The Etihad Stadium witnessed a thrilling contest, with both teams going all out to claim an advantage in the first leg. It was a night that lived up to its billing as two of Europe’s biggest clubs went head-to-head in a rollercoaster affair.
The match began with early fireworks as Manchester City’s Erling Haaland gave the hosts the lead, opening the scoring with a clinical finish. However, Real Madrid were quick to respond, and their star player, Kylian Mbappé, found the back of the net to level the score. City regained the upper hand after Haaland converted a penalty, putting them 2-1 ahead. But just when it looked like City would take control, Real Madrid struck back. Brahim Díaz scored a stunning equalizer, making it 2-2, and it seemed like the match would end in a draw.
However, in the dying moments of the game, Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior capitalized on a defensive mistake and provided the assist for Jude Bellingham, who slotted the ball into the net, securing a crucial 3-2 victory for the Spanish giants. The win gives Madrid the upper hand going into the second leg, but with two of the competition’s most potent attacking sides involved, the return fixture promises to be a nail-biting encounter.
Juventus 2-1 PSV Eindhoven: Late Drama in Turin
At the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Juventus faced PSV Eindhoven in another closely contested affair. Both teams came into the game with high hopes of taking an advantage into the second leg, and Juventus managed to edge out their Dutch opponents with a 2-1 win.
The match began with intensity, and Juventus struck first through Weston McKennie, who found the back of the net to put the hosts in the lead. PSV Eindhoven, however, didn’t take long to respond. Ivan Perišić leveled the match with a superb goal, bringing the visitors back into contention.
Just as it seemed like the match might end in a draw, Juventus found a late winner. Samuel Mbangula scored a crucial goal in the 82nd minute, putting Juventus ahead once again. The 2-1 scoreline gives the Italian side a slight advantage, but the tie remains finely balanced heading into the return leg in Eindhoven. The final result left both teams with much to play for, and Juventus will need to be wary of PSV’s attacking threats as they head into the second leg.
Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Sporting CP: Dominant Dortmund Strike Early
Borussia Dortmund produced one of the most convincing performances of the night, cruising to a 3-0 victory over Sporting CP in Lisbon. From the first whistle, Dortmund were in control of the game, dictating the tempo and demonstrating their attacking prowess.
Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring for Dortmund, and the visitors continued to pile on the pressure. Pascal Groß doubled the lead, and Sporting CP struggled to find any rhythm throughout the match. In the second half, Dortmund put the game to bed when Karim Adeyemi netted a third, giving Dortmund a commanding 3-0 lead to take into the second leg.
With a three-goal advantage, Dortmund are in a commanding position to progress to the quarter-finals. Sporting CP will have a monumental task ahead of them in the second leg, needing at least three goals to force extra time. Dortmund’s clinical performance has put them firmly in control of the tie, and they’ll look to finish the job in front of their home fans in the return fixture.
Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Brest: PSG Dominate at Home
In the Champions League’s less dramatic encounter of the night, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Brest. The French champions were in full control throughout the match, with Kylian Mbappé playing a pivotal role in their attacking play.
PSG’s dominance was evident from the outset, as they took the lead early in the first half. Brest struggled to contain the attacking threat posed by Neymar, Messi, and Mbappé, who all played a role in PSG’s offensive onslaught. The second half saw PSG add two more goals to complete a comprehensive 3-0 victory, giving them a commanding first-leg lead.
The win puts PSG in an ideal position as they look to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. With the second leg to be played in Brest, PSG will be confident of maintaining their lead and progressing with ease. The return fixture could be a mere formality for the Parisians, but Brest will undoubtedly be hoping to pull off an upset in front of their home fans.
What’s Next?
The first leg of the Champions League round of 16 provided fans with a thrilling array of results, with plenty of drama, late goals, and commanding performances. Real Madrid’s victory over Manchester City gives them the upper hand, but City will be hoping to turn things around in the second leg. Juventus’ narrow win over PSV means that the tie is still wide open, while Dortmund’s dominant 3-0 victory puts them in an excellent position to advance. PSG, on the other hand, look poised to move on after their comfortable win against Brest.
With the second-leg fixtures to come, there is still plenty of football left to be played in this knockout round. The excitement is only just beginning, and fans around the world will be eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this thrilling European competition.
As the Champions League continues to unfold, all eyes will be on these teams as they aim to secure their place in the quarter-finals and continue their quest for European glory.