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The Champions League league stage ended in typically dramatic fashion on Wednesday, with all matchday eight fixtures kicking off simultaneously. The result was 90 minutes of unrelenting twists and turns, capped by Anatoliy Trubin’s astonishing last-second header that kept Benfica alive in the competition.

The night delivered further late heroics in Bilbao, where Sporting CP netted a 94th-minute winner to clinch a shock place in the last 16. Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt stunned Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, Club Brugge eliminated Marseille, and Qarabag advanced to the play-offs despite a heavy defeat to Liverpool, who themselves finished third.

Elsewhere, heavyweights such as Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester City secured direct qualification to the round of 16, while Arsenal completed a perfect campaign — eight wins from eight — by defeating bottom-placed Kairat Almaty with a rotated yet strong lineup.

So, who came out on top and who faltered in this four-month, 144-game marathon? Here’s a breakdown of the biggest winners and losers of the Champions League league phase.

WINNER: Arsenal

As Liverpool learned the hard way last season, finishing top in the league phase doesn’t guarantee a smooth road to the final — the Reds drew Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 and the rest is history. But Arsenal can still feel immense satisfaction with their flawless first-place finish this time around.

For Mikel Arteta’s side, avoiding the play-offs means two fewer fixtures in their pursuit of a quadruple. Their potential round of 16 opponents — Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, and Olympiacos — are all beatable on paper. Furthermore, a new rule this season ensures the top two seeds host the second leg in every knockout tie, a clear edge in matches that go to extra time or penalties.

Despite a recent home loss to Manchester United and lingering concerns about their reliance on set-pieces, Arsenal’s depth remains unmatched. The knockout phase appears perfectly aligned for the top seeds to make a serious run at their first-ever European crown.

WINNER: Sporting CP

After their stunning win over Paris Saint-Germain last week, Sporting CP coach Rui Borges admitted, “I have no words for this group; they deserve to be part of the club’s history.” And now, after following that triumph with a dramatic victory over Athletic Club in Bilbao, they’ve earned direct passage to the last 16.

Borges initially aimed only for a play-off spot, but Sporting’s resilience and late goals — like the winner at San Mames — propelled them into the top eight “alongside some of the best teams in the world.” As Borges added, “Being there brings great pride to the club and the country.”

LOSER: Villarreal

Villarreal’s early elimination, alongside Kairat Almaty, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Slavia Prague, was the biggest shock of the round. Despite sitting fourth in La Liga and performing well domestically, Marcelino’s men couldn’t replicate that form in Europe.

Midfielder Santi Comesana summed up their frustration after a 2-1 home loss to Ajax: “We didn’t deserve to lose, but we did again anyway. We had chances, but couldn’t convert them.” Marcelino conceded that his players had only themselves to blame, saying, “In this competition, you must be decisive at both ends.” Villarreal were not — and paid the price.

WINNER: Qarabag

Few would have predicted Qarabag’s progress beyond the group stage. After finishing bottom of last year’s Europa League, expectations were minimal. But Gurban Gurbanov’s men defied logic from start to finish, beginning with a stunning win over Benfica at the Estadio da Luz.

Even a 6-0 thrashing at Anfield couldn’t overshadow their achievement. “Looking back on our eight-game journey,” Gurbanov said, “we overcame many hurdles.” Their comeback win over Eintracht Frankfurt — turning a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory with a stoppage-time goal — sparked wild celebrations in Baku and showed the magic of football’s unpredictability.

LOSER: Paris Saint-Germain

While PSG went through the play-offs on their road to last season’s title, missing direct qualification again raised eyebrows. After a 1-1 draw with Newcastle, Vitinha stated, “We had the same problem last year; things can change quickly.”

This time, however, concerns are legitimate. PSG failed to win any of their final three games, squandering their top-eight spot. Despite Luis Enrique’s promising young squad, the French champions will need a major turnaround — especially as they’re also struggling in Ligue 1.

WINNER: 'The Special One'

At the halfway stage, Benfica sat second-bottom with zero points. Yet Jose Mourinho refused to concede defeat, insisting, “Nobody can convince me that we’re out.” His faith proved well-founded as Benfica won three of their final four matches, including a dramatic 4-2 triumph over Real Madrid capped by Trubin’s last-gasp header.

For Mourinho, it was sweet revenge over his former club and redemption after being sacked by Fenerbahce in August. Now, he’s leading Benfica into the play-offs — proof that ‘The Special One’ still has his magic touch.

LOSER: Antonio Conte

Antonio Conte praised his depleted Napoli side despite their 3-2 defeat to Chelsea, saying, “Even with 13 players out, we were brave and aggressive.” But questions over his intense tactical style persist. Though Conte has transformed multiple clubs instantly, his sides often falter when European fixtures pile up.

Six Champions League campaigns have yielded just one quarter-final appearance. Napoli’s failure to protect a 1-0 lead over 10-man Copenhagen last week encapsulated their collapse — and once again, Conte’s European struggles continue.

WINNER: Under-fire EPL Coaches

Arne Slot and Thomas Frank might owe their jobs to Europe’s top competition. Despite Liverpool’s poor title defence, Slot’s side finished third in the league phase, while Frank’s Tottenham — 14th domestically — shone in Europe, just a point behind. Midfielder Achie Gray admitted Spurs were “like a different team in Europe.” Their continental success could buy both managers valuable time.

LOSER: Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho’s Benfica exposed Real Madrid’s flaws with a 4-2 victory that sent Alvaro Arbeloa’s men tumbling out of the top 16. Arbeloa conceded, “We were outplayed in so many aspects.” Having already suffered a Copa del Rey embarrassment, Madrid’s European campaign now hangs by a thread. Without drastic improvement, even the play-offs could prove perilous for the rookie coach.

WINNER: Kylian Mbappe

Amid Madrid’s issues, Kylian Mbappe remains a shining light. The French star’s double against Benfica brought his tally to 13 goals in just seven games — an extraordinary return that leaves him four short of the all-time single-season record. “Two chances for Mbappe, two goals,” Mourinho remarked. Even if Madrid stumble, Mbappe’s brilliance continues to redefine the competition.

LOSER: Roberto De Zerbi

Marseille were a minute away from the play-offs before Trubin’s heroics ended their hopes. Yet De Zerbi admitted after a 3-0 loss to Club Brugge, “We didn’t play well and the defeat is fair.” The Italian coach lamented his team’s inconsistency, saying, “You have to be more of a psychologist than a coach these days.” Given Marseille’s volatility, his future looks far from secure.

WINNER: The Premier League

England’s six Champions League entrants produced unprecedented dominance: Arsenal (1st), Liverpool (3rd), Tottenham (4th), Chelsea (6th), Manchester City (8th), and Newcastle (12th) all advanced or earned seeding advantages. “This shows again why the Premier League is the best league in the world,” said Spurs boss Thomas Frank. With such strength across the board, the Premier League’s superiority in Europe looks unstoppable.

WINNER: Bodo/Glimt

After losing painfully to Juventus on matchday five, Bodo/Glimt seemed doomed. But Kjetil Knutsen’s spirited side bounced back, holding Borussia Dortmund and then achieving back-to-back miracles by beating Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

“We had a plan, everyone believed in it,” Knutsen said. “This team is incredible, and I’m so proud.” The Norwegian club, from a town of just 40,000 people, reaching the Champions League play-offs is the stuff of fairy tales — one of the greatest stories in modern European football.