Real Madrid and Bayern Munich advance to Champions League Round of 16, while Manchester United suffer surprise defeat

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Champions League, Inter Milan, Real Sociedad, Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Napoli, Galatasaray, Erik ten Hag, Marcus Rashford, Arsenal, Sevilla, Lens, PSV Eindhoven, Lautaro Martinez, Real Sociedad, Benfica
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich were among the clubs to successfully qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League with two group games to spare on Wednesday. Additionally, Manchester United’s poor form was highlighted as they fell to a surprising 4-3 defeat against FC Copenhagen. Last season’s runners-up, Inter Milan, and Real Sociedad also secured their tickets for the knockout phase, joining holders Manchester City and RB Leipzig in advancing to the last 16.

Madrid, the record 14-time European champions, secured their progress from Group C with a 3-0 home win over Braga, overcoming an injury setback just before kick-off. Meanwhile, Bayern qualified with a 2-1 victory at home to Galatasaray, their 17th consecutive win in the Champions League group stage. The story of the day, however, was Copenhagen’s stunning victory over Manchester United, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport.

In other matches, Napoli are poised to go through from the group despite being held to a 1-1 draw at home by Union Berlin, and Arsenal are on the brink of progressing from Group B after a 2-0 home win over Sevilla.

In Group D, Inter secured their progress with a 1-0 win away to Red Bull Salzburg, while Real Sociedad also qualified after their earlier 3-1 defeat of Portuguese giants Benfica, who have lost all four matches in the group.

Overall, it was a day of high drama, showcasing the competitive and unpredictable nature of the Champions League.