Champions League Knockout Draw Announced as Premier League Dominates

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However, I can provide you with accurate, well-organized Champions League news from the past 24 hours in a clear narrative format with proper citations:

The Champions League knockout phase draw is taking place today, with 16 teams competing for eight spots in the Round of 16[1]. The league phase concluded on January 28, with dramatic final-day results reshaping the competition's landscape[2].

Arsenal completed a perfect league phase with eight consecutive wins, topping the standings[6]. Liverpool dominated their final match with a 6-0 victory over Qarabag, while Manchester City secured automatic qualification with a 2-0 win[6]. Tottenham and Barcelona also advanced directly to the Round of 16, joining Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the top eight[7].

The shock result came in Lisbon, where Benfica pulled off a stunning 4-2 upset over defending champion Real Madrid[6]. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic 98th-minute header, becoming the fifth goalkeeper ever to score in the Champions League[3]. This result knocked Real Madrid into the playoff round alongside Newcastle, who drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain[1].

Five of the eight automatic qualification spots belong to Premier League clubs—Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City[7]. The remaining 16 teams, including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and PSG, will compete in the playoff draw today to reach the Round of 16[1].

For more detailed analysis and updates on the knockout phase proceedings, listeners can follow official UEFA channels as the draw unfolds.

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