Long-time Carmel FC & Carmel High Coach & Referee Carla Baker joins Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2026

The Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame is proud to announce its newest 2-person class into the Hall of Fame. The 2026 Class includes Carla Baker and Mike Avery. The class will be inducted into the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at the Renaissance Hotel – Carmel. Baker, who currently resides in Carmel and continues to coach high school soccer and referee youth games, started her career as a student-athlete goalkeeper in Hamilton, Ontario at McMaster University. Her performance in goal earned her a call up to the Canadian Women’s National team in 1987. She stared for them for 9 years, competing in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers and eventually the 1995 FIFA World Cup. In all, she earned 29 caps for the Canadian Women’s National Team. After completing a professional career, she turned her sights to coaching, working at FIU; Cornell University; University of Notre Dame and the University of Iowa. While an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame, the Irish went to 4 consecutive final fours; won a National Championship in 1995; were Runners-Up in 1994, 1996 and semi-finalist in 1997. As an assistant coach at Carmel High School, Baker won a state championship in 2018 and was a runner up in 2014 and 2025. As an assistant coach at Park Tudor High School, Baker helped coach her team to two state championships in 2022 and 2023 and a runner up in 2020. “Honestly, with all her experience and international accomplishments, we are so LUCKY to have her as a representative of soccer in our community – CHS & CFC, “stated Juergen Sommer, Director of Soccer Operations at Carmel FC Soccer. “She has such a professional approach to her work/craft, as well as managing our families when soccer goes sideways, which we’ve all dealt with over the year. Carla is irreplaceable and a foundational pillar within our club!” Personally I have been lucky to have coached or reffed on the same fields with Carla for over 15 years. Well deserved Award!

Huge Congrats to All the Carmel FC Coaches (Especially Mark Stumpf) & Members Nominated to this Year’s IYSA Awards

Super proud of my fellow Carmel Coach & buddy Mark Stumpf. He so very deserves the honor. He was one of the original coaches for Carmel FC – joining me when we were still just Carmel Dad’s Rec Plus back in 2008. He coached the boys U14s while I coached the girls. Since then he has done so much for the club, coached 100’s of teams, run the Girls Academy, helped with Goalkeeper Training, organized tryouts, done tons of computer and technical stuff – his list of accomplishments – are too many to list. Bottom line – he has had a huge impact on soccer, Carmel FC and kids lives here in Carmel – and I am super proud to assist him in coaching the 2010 boys over the past few years. Good luck to everyone – but especially my buddy Mark Stumpf – no one in Indiana deserves it more.

Champions League Knockout Stage Games Set

Man was Wednesday fun and it all ended like this Benefica Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin Header at the Buzzer beats Real Madrid 4-2 sends them to knockout stage vs Real Madrid again in Feb. Jose Mourinho’s Benfica were already winning 3-2 but needed to beat Real Madrid 4-2 to sneak ahead of Marseille (Tim Weah) and into the all-important 24th place in the final league table. Think it mattered? Listen to the Benefica Announcer. How can you not love this game?
Going into the 8th game and final day of the group stage only 2 teams had guaranteed themselves top 8 spots, 12 teams had a chance of climbing into the top 8. In the end Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barceloa, Chelsea, Sporting and Man City grabbed top 8 slots – yes 5 EPL teams. While Inter Milan, Real Madrid, holders PSG, and Newcastle United all dropped out with losses or ties on the final day.

So let me start with it stinks that 16 games were being played at 1 time – as it is impossible to watch 16 games at once – though I darn sure tried during a late lunch Wed afternoon. Somehow I was able to watch about 6 games (the Americans) as I watched Juventus and Mckinney advance to the playoff round, while seeing American Malik Tillman score two goals but have it not be enough for PSV fell to and are out. Monaco slid thru as Bologun scored a goal (which was called back), and Tim Weah and Marseille were eliminated when Benfica scored the late winner. First legs of the Knockout stage start Feb 17/18, then Feb 24/25 we’ll have just 2 American’s to root on as McKinney (Juventus) face Galatasaray and Bolagun (Monaco) battle defending Champs PSG.

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US Ladies Win 2 Games & Crystal Dunn Retires

The US ladies won both games in this cycle as they beat Chile 5-0 Wed after a 6-0 win vs Paraguay over the weekend. (Highlights) Good to see Trinity Rodman score again – Emma Hayes celebrates goal with Trinity Rodman. Love our Women’s US Coach Watch this she is the BEST in the World!! Croix Bethune, Jameese Joseph and Emily Sams all scored their first international goals and the United States women’s national soccer team went on to defeat Chile 5-0 on Tuesday night. Sams was first time Captain and Woman of the Match! Emma Sears and Trinity Rodman also scored for the United States, which hasn’t conceded a goal in five matches.

GAMES ON TV

Sat, Jan 31
10 am USA Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Arsenal
12:30 pm USA Chelsea vs West Ham
12:30 pm ESPN+ Hamburger (Damion Downs) vs Bayern Munich
12:30 pm ESPN+ Levante vs Atletico Madrid (Cardoso)
3 pm NBC Liverpool vs New Castle United
3:30 pm beIN sport Monaco (Balogun) vs Rennes
5 pm univision America vs Necaxa (Liga MX)
8 pm Uni Monterrey vs Tiajuana
Sun, Feb 1
8 am ESPNd,+ Rayo Vallencano vs Real Madrid
8:30 am ESPN+ PSV (Dest) vs Feyenoord
9 am USA Aston Villa vs Brendford
9 am Peacock Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace (Richards)
9 am NBCSN, Pea Man United vs Fulham (Jedi)
11:30 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Man City
2:45 pm Para + Juventus (Mckinney) vs Parma
Mon, Feb 2
2:45 pm USA Sunderland vs Burnley
2:45 pm Para+ Udinese vs Roma
Tues, feb 3
2:45 pm Para+ Bologna vs AC Milan (Pulisic)
3 pm Para+ Arsenal vs Chelsea (League cup)
9 pm FS2 Olimpia vs America (Concacaf Champs)
Wed, Feb 4
3 pm Para+ Man City vs New Castle United (League Cup)
3 pm Para+ Inter Milan vs Torino (Copa)
Thurs, Feb 5
3 pm PAra+ Atalanta (Musah) vs Juventus (McKinney) (Copa)
3 pm ESPN+ Real Bettis vs Atletico Madrid (Cardoso) Copa
Fri, Feb 6
2:30 pm ESPN+ Union Berlin vs Frankfurt
3 pm USA? Leeds United (Aaronson) vs Nottingham Forest
Sat, Feb 7
7:30 am USA Man United vs Tottenham
10 am Fulham (Jedi) vs Everton
12:30 pm MGladbach (Scaly, Reyna) vs Leverkusen (Tillman)
Sun Feb 8
7:30 am USA Liverpool vs Man City

Sun, Mar 1 She Believes Cup Starts
5 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Women vs Argentina
Wed, Mar 4 She Believes Cup
7 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Women vs Canada (Columbus, OH)
Sat, Mar 7 She Believes Cup
3:30 pm TBS, HBO, Peacock USA Women vs Colombia
Sat, Mar 28
3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Belgium
Tues, Mar 31
7 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Portugal
Sun, May 31
3:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Senegal
Sat, June 6
2:30 pm TNT, HBO, Peacock USA Men vs Germany in Chicago
Sat, June 12 WORLD CUP
9 pm Fox, Tele, Peacock USA Men vs Paraguay World Cup

USMNT weekend viewing guide: Results that matter

Title impacting matches and head-to-head fixtures by jcksnftsnJan 31, 2026, 10:46 AM EST

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 25: Chris Richards of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on January 25, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)Getty Images There are a number of big matchups this weekend, including some battles with top of the table competition and head-to-head matches so let’s get to what you should be keeping an eye on this weekend.

Saturday

Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Joe Scally started again last weekend as Borussia Monchengladbach fell to Stuttgart 3-0. Unfortunately, Gio Reyna has picked up another injury and missed the match. Gladbach have just one win and four points from their past six matches and they are in eleventh place, two points ahead of their hosts this weekend, Werder Bremen, who are in fifteenth, three points ahead of Mainz in the relegation playoff battle.

Augsburg v St. Pauli – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Noahkai Banks missed last weekend due to yellow card suspension as Augsburg pulled off a shocking 2-1 win over league leading Bayern Munich. Banks had started 13 straight matches so it will be interesting to see if he’s inserted right back into the lineup with Augsburg having won for the first time in six matches in his absence. Augsburg will be facing James Sands and St Pauli this weekend who are in the relegation zone as they have just seven points from their past dozen matches.

RB Leipzig v Mainz – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Lennard Maloney and Mainz have won two of three to pull themselves into the relegation playoff position though they are still three points back of safety. They face fourth place RB Leipzig this weekend who are coming off a 1-1 draw with fellow relegation candidate St. Pauli.

Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayer Leverkusen – 9:30a on ESPN Select: Malik Tillman scored a brace in Champions League play midweek as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Villarreal 3-0. Leverkusen also defeated Werder Bremen last weekend and are in sixth place in the Bundesliga standings.

Leeds United v Arsenal – 10a on USA Network: Brenden Aaronson and Leeds United drew with Everton last weekend and remain in sixteenth place in the Premier League table. They will face an Arsenal side that are leading the league but need to get back on track after a 3-2 loss to Manchester United last weekend.

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Osasuna v Villarreal – 10:15a on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Alex Freeman has completed his move to join Villarreal though it would be surprising to seem him inserted into the lineup immediately for a side that is currently fourth in the La Liga standings and on track for a Champions League spot as they hold a seven point lead over fifth place Espanyol.

Paris v Olympique Marseille – 11a on beIN Sports: Tim Weah and Olympique Marseille are in third place in the Ligue 1 standings but fell 3-0 to Club Brugge midweek in Champions League action and were eliminated before the start of the knockout rounds as they finished with nine points through eight matches. They are eight points back of league leading Lens heading into their matchup with Paris FC who are in fourteenth place.

Hamburg v Bayern Munich – 12:30p on ESPN Select: Damion Downs has started three straight matches for Hamburg but is still looking for his first goal contribution and team win since moving to the Bundesliga. On Saturday, Hamburg will face Bayern Munich who should be heavy favorites but fell to Augsburg last weekend.

Levante v Atletico Madrid – 12:30p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Johnny Cardoso started the last two league matches for Atletico Madrid, both of which hiss team won, but he came off the bench in the two Champions League matches. Atletico fell to Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday as both teams advanced to the next round of the competition.

Monaco v Rennes – 3:05p on beIN sports: Folarin Balogun and Monaco also advanced in Champions League action though they settled for a scoreless draw with Juventus on Wednesday. In league play they have fallen to tenth place as they have failed to win in their past five matches. They will host sixth place Rennes on Saturday evening.

Sunday

PSV v Feyenoord – 8:30a on ESPN Select: Sergino Dest started and played the full 90’ as PSV fell to Bayern Munich 2-1 on Wednesday and failed to advance in Champions League play. It’s been a rough week for the club and for Dest who was pulled at halftime last weekend with his team down 2-1 to seventeenth place NAC Breda. PSV would come back in the second half to tie the match and pick up a point. This weekend they host second place Feyenoord who are still fourteen points back of the league leaders.

Manchester United v Fulham – 9a on NBCSN: Antonee Robinson and Fulham will take on a suddenly hot Manchester United side on Sunday morning. United have defeated Man City and Arsenal back-to-back and now sit in fourth place though they are still twelve points back of league leading Arsenal. For their part Fulham are coming off a 2-1 win over Brighton and have suffered defeat just once in the eight matches since Robinson returned. Fulham have gone from 15th back up to seventh place, just four points back of United.

Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace – 9a on Peacock: Unfortunately, Chris Richards and Crystal Palace are headed in the opposite direction. They have fallen to fifteenth place following their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last weekend though Richards at least scored a consolation goal. Palace will be facing a Forest side that have been gaining some confidence lately, coming off a win over Brentford last weekend in league play and a midweek 4-0 win over Ferencavaros in Europa League action.

Olympique Lyon v Lille – 9a on beIN Sports: Tanner Tessmann and Lyon defeated Metz 5-2 last weekend to maintain their fourth place position in Ligue 1 and will play host to fifth place Lille who they lead by four points in the league standings. Tessmann started last weekend and was a halftime sub midweek for Lyon as the team scored three second half goals to defeat PAOK Thessaloniki 4-2 in Europa League action.

Como v Atalanta – 9a on Paramount+: Yunus Musah did not appear last weekend in Atalanta’s 4-0 win over Parma in league play but did get the start midweek in Champions League action. Atalanta fell to Union Saint-Gilloise but it did not impact their position heading into the knockout rounds of the tournament.

Toulouse v Auxerre – 11:15a on beIN Sports: Mark McKenzie started and picked up the assist on the opening goal of Toulouse’s 2-0 win over Brest last weekend. Toulouse remained in eighth place with the victory, they are just three points back of fifth place Lille for Europa League qualification. They face an Auxerre side that has just three wins in nineteen matches and need to nearly double their points to crawl out of the relegation spots.

Parama v Juventus – 2:45p on Paramount+: Weston McKennie and Juventus defeated third place Napoli last weekend to pull within a point of them in the Serie A standings for the fourth and final Champions League qualification position. McKennie started midweek as well as Juve played Monaco to a scoreless draw, a result that was good enough for the Italian’s to advance while Monaco was sent home.

Athletic Club v Real Sociedad – 3p on ESPN Deportes and ESPN Select: Pellegrino Matarazzo extended his dream start with Real Sociedad as the team knocked off Celta Vigo 3-1 last weekend. Sociedad were in sixteenth place when Matarazzo took over and they have moved up to eighth place heading into their matchup with Athletic Bilbao who are themselves in fourteenth place though just three points back of Sociedad.

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USA

USMNT defender Alex Freeman officially joins Villarreal CF
Ricardo Pepi and Antonee Robinson rumored to be transfer targets

Ladies

Crystal Dunn announces retirement from professional soccer
USWNT vs. Chile, 2026 friendly: What we learned
USWNT close out January Camp with impressive win against Chile
Rodman, Hayes viral celebration caps off U.S. rout
USWNT to host Japan in trio of April friendlies
USWNT star Trinity Rodman’s record deal: Why it’s a boon for her, but NWSL worries linger

Champions League

Champions League talking points: Mourinho’s master class, biggest disappointments, best moments, more
Champions League playoff picks: Can Mourinho shock Madrid again?
Champions League playoff round draw: Newcastle to play Qarabag, Real Madrid face Benfica again – as it happened
Champions League recap: Grading all 36 teams, plus our Best XI of the League Phase
Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta: ‘I beg’ Premier League for squad rule change
Explained: Why Premier League is set to have a fifth team in Champions League next year
Napoli out, Madrid fall into playoff
Madrid handed Benfica, Jose rematch in UCL draw

Goalkeeping

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Champions League talking points: Mourinho’s master class, biggest disappointments, best moments, more

• Multiple contributors

Jan 28, 2026, 08:09 PM ET ESPN

A frantic Wednesday night — 18 games all at once — wrapped the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, and we have much to talk about! Anatoliy Trubin‘s heroics will long in the memory for Benfica fans and neutrals alike — and probably Real Madrid supporters, too — after the goalkeeper scored a stoppage-time goal to seal the Portuguese side’s place in the knockout phase. Elsewhere, Arsenal completed a clean sweep, winning all eight of their league phase games, while Chelsea won 3-2 in Napoli — sealing the Blues a spot in the Top 8 and eliminating Antonio Conte’s side in the process. So, with the league phase complete and seedings set for Friday’s knockout playoff round draw, ESPN FC’s writers weigh in on the action so far and what’s still to come.

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– UCL final matchday as it happened: Napoli out, Madrid fall into playoff
– Best Champions League tifos: Bob Marley, The Beatles, ‘Erling the Great’
– When is the Champions League knockout draw? Date, bracket, more

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Q1. What a night! Real Madrid fell out of the Top 8 with a 4-2 defeat at Benfica, a result that launched the Portuguese side into the knockout playoffs. Was Jose Mourinho’s turnaround the most dramatic ending ever to a group stage since you started watching the Champions League?

James Olley: Funnily enough, the most dramatic endings to the group stage aren’t really something that live in the memory. This competition is about knockout moments, trophy-winning moments. Real Madrid now have to play two extra games as heavy favorites and Benfica scrape into a playoff. That latter development was undeniably a dramatic moment, certainly in the way it came about, and the competition is better for having a character like Mourinho in it for a little longer. Napoli’s topsy-turvy game against Chelsea was also fun. But don’t let one enjoyable night in front of the TV mask the weeks and weeks of diluted nonsense it took to get to this point. And the teams who won’t be seeded in the knockout rounds are Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, AS Monaco, FK Qarabag, Bodo/Glimt and Benfica. Bodo getting this far is a good story but does anyone really expect any major upsets in this extra playoff round? So what was the point again?

Julien Laurens: I don’t want to ever hear again that this format of the competition is not good! I don’t want anyone to moan again about it. This was brilliant drama again, as we expected at the start of the night. There was always going to be some drama! It could have been at PSG-Newcastle or at another game, but it had to be Mourinho and Benfica! Who else? The narrative was there for it: Mourinho against his former club with the opportunity to knock them out of the Top 8. He sent Trubin up for the free kick which was never a free kick! The delivery was perfect and Thibaut Courtois, who made some big saves before, couldn’t save the header. The only thing that this can come close to is the Francesco Acerbi goal for Inter Milan in the semifinals last season against Barcelona. That’s why we love football so much!

Beth Lindop: I mean, how can you not love football, eh? There are few greater sights in football than a goalkeeper scoring a goal and for this one to be so significant in terms of keeping Benfica’s Champions League dreams alive makes it all the more special. It’s hard to remember a more dramatic climax so early in the competition and for advocates of the new format, it’s further evidence that the extra games are worth the pay-off. Plus, who doesn’t want to see more Mourinho touchline antics? Absolutely box office.

Gab Marcotti: Hell yes! Because it’s freaking Jose Mourinho against his old club! Because Benfica had lost their first four games in the group stage! Because it’s freaking Real Madrid! Because they had lost three of four games in all competitions prior to this one! Because they needed a raft of results elsewhere to go their way for this to even be a possibility! Because they actually battered Real Madrid (2.99 to 1.50 xG)! Because the goal came deep in injury time with the last touch of the game! Because the goal scorer, Trubin, is a freaking goalkeeper! Because Trubin didn’t appear to realize they needed a fourth and seemed to be time-wasting seconds before his goal! Because it’s Mourinho!

Mark Ogden: What an ending! It was only missing a Mourinho sprint down the touchline, but you can’t have everything. And credit must go to Mourinho because, with seven minutes of stoppage-time played, he ordered Trubin forward for the last-ditch free kick. Trubin headed home for an incredible goal to seal Benfica’s playoff spot. The best part of this story is that Real Madrid will now face Benfica or Bodo/Glimt in the playoffs. Let’s just hope it’s Benfica so we can have the prospect of Mourinho getting under Real’s skin yet again.

Sam Tighe: I can’t think of anything that matches that. The Real Madrid meltdown (two red cards), the fact the goalkeeper scored, the fact it was Mourinho … that was outrageous. The best comparison I can even try to offer is Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s 95th-minute winner for Tottenham Hotspur against Marseille in 2022, which saw them qualify for the knockouts. But come on. Højberg is not a goalkeeper, so it’s significantly less novel than the utter madness we just watched.

Rob Dawson: In terms of drama, it doesn’t get much better than a goalkeeper scoring in the 98th minute to seal a place in the Champions League knockout rounds. Goalkeeper Jimmy Glass is still a famous name in the U.K. after he scored a last-minute goal which saved Carlisle United from relegation and kept them in the Football League in 1999. It’s likely that the name Trubin will never be forgotten in Lisbon.

Alex Kirkland: It was an incredible, head-spinning few minutes, with Real Madrid all of a sudden out of the Top 8, and Benfica progressing, with Mourinho in tears as he headed down the tunnel after the final whistle. It’s hard to think of a group stage climax that came close. The most memorable turnaround featuring a Spanish team in recent years was probably Atlético Madrid, who had been bottom of their group before they went to FC Porto and won 3-1 in December 2021, with two of their goals coming in added time. But even that can’t compare to this. Real Madrid were famously never eliminated in the group stage in the old UCL format. Now, for two years in a row, they’ve been forced into the playoffs.

Sam Marsden: For all the above reasons, it was obviously amazing. Very little can beat a last-minute goal from a goalkeeper. How it will be remembered will depend on what comes next, which I think we all hope will be another dose of Mourinho vs. Alvaro Arbeloa. It’s unlikely Benfica would beat Madrid over two legs (surely not?) but we all need Part II after the remarkable scenes we witness in Lisbon. Football gods, do your thing.

Are Arsenal favourites to win the Champions League?

Alejandro Moreno and Steve Nicol debate who should be favorites to win the Champions League.

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Q2. Who/what has been the biggest disappointment of the league phase?

Dawson: It has to be Napoli. Antonio Conte will argue that Italian clubs aren’t working with the same budget as the European heavyweights — particularly in the Premier League — but the reigning Serie A champions shouldn’t anywhere near the bottom of a 36-team table. Losing 6-2 at PSV Eindhoven and failing to beat Eintracht Frankfurt at home are poor results. Conte has an impressive record in domestic football, but for whatever reason he’s never seemed able to replicate it in the Champions League.

Olley: I’d have to pick the league phase format itself. The second year of this Swiss model has reinforced my view of the first: the importance of matches between big teams are diluted, the extra two matches add nothing but an unnecessary increase on player workload, and the televisual feast of Matchday 8 comes at too high a price of sterile build-up. It is the European Super League by not-so-stealth design. Giving the top two home advantage in the knockout rounds is merely an incentive to make a flawed system have more meaning, and there is an argument it overtly compromises the purity of knockout football — which the last-16 stage onwards always was.

Ogden: I completely agree with James on this. The league phase may have heavyweight clashes on each matchday, but the games don’t really mean anything because the giants know they’ll qualify anyway. Ok, you might argue that was always the case in the old group phase, but we did see some super-clubs — Manchester United, Barcelona — crash into the UEFA Europa League in recent years, as there was more jeopardy and clubs knew they had less margin for error. This league phase has been a long preamble toward a somewhat inevitable conclusion.

Tighe: Sorry James, and sorry Mark … I remain a big fan of this new format. There’s enough peril involved across the first eight games and I cannot get on board with the idea that some of these games “don’t matter” — they absolutely do. That’s why dropped points in the first three or four weeks are likely to scupper your chances of finishing in the Top 8, as this first phase has effectively become a quest to stay perfect. The stakes start high and stay there. Last year Juventus, AC Milan and Manchester City dropped into the playoffs, then paid the price. This year, Real Madrid, Internazionale, Paris Saint-Germain, Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Juve (again) risk the same. I am willing to die on this hill: the league phase is good!

Are Chelsea more entertaining to watch under Liam Rosenior?

Frank Leboeuf reacts to Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League.

Marcotti: I kind of feel I need to address more than one issue here. The biggest disappointment has to be Villarreal. Their table looks worse than it should because after the Dortmund shellacking left them with one point from five games, they took their foot off the gas, which is understandable. But still, this is an embarrassment for a side that are fourth in LaLiga. Even with a stretched squad, you expected more.

As for the format, I like it, because it encourages attacking, less speculative football. In that sense, it’s definitely more entertaining. The “jeopardy” argument is a valid one, but I think it’s because the seedings are pretty meaningless (other than finishing top eight). There’s an easy fix, albeit one that only me and UEFA general secretary Theo Theodoridis like, which is why it won’t happen: Let the top seed choose their opponent for the knockouts. Then second seed picks next, and on down from there. Not only would it add a layer of drama, but it would make games far more meaningful.

Last year, Liverpool won the group stage. What was their reward (other than missing out on the playoff round)? Paris Saint-Germain in the Round of 16. Some reward!

Kirkland: I agree with Gab, it’s Villarreal. One point! For one of the best teams in Spain! Embarrassing is the word. It’s been the kind of campaign that makes you think: what’s the point of working so hard, all season, to qualify for the Champions League if you’re going to perform like this? Whatever the circumstances or mitigating factors — like prioritizing LaLiga, and some tough fixtures in Europe — there’s really no excuse. Lose to Tottenham Hotspur, Man City, Dortmund, sure. But Pafos and F.C. København? I really rate Marcelino Garcia Toral as a coach, but he has some serious questions to answer.

Marsden: Yeah, I’ve got to go with Villarreal here too. For a team from Europe’s top five leagues — and it doesn’t matter which of those we are talking about — to not win a single game is pretty pitiful. Defeats to Pafos and at home to København were probably the lows of Villarreal’s campaign, but there is no shortage of moments to pick from. What makes their results even more surprising is that, until recently, they were keeping pace with Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga. One point from eight games is not a good look for the Spanish top flight.

Lindop: When it comes to biggest disappointment, I’m going to go for Inter Milan. Last season’s finalists will likely still qualify for the round of 16 but, considering they’re five points clear at the top of Serie A, I think they’ve been a little bit underwhelming. Now, that might sound harsh considering they’ve won four of their eight games, but they failed to really assert themselves in either of their home matches against Liverpool and Arsenal, and they were beaten away at Atlético Madrid. They haven’t shown they’re ready to make the next step as far as winning the competition is concerned.

Laurens: I like this format a lot, I did last year and I still do. In terms of disappointment, I agree on both Napoli and Villarreal too. How can you be fourth in LaLiga and second-bottom in the Champions League at the same time? For many of us, Villarreal were one of the teams to watch as a surprise package; instead, they’ve been a laughingstock! For Napoli, Conte has always struggled in the Champions League, so it’s unsurprising to see his team not doing well this year. Eintracht Frankfurt have been a shambles too, so have Ajax Amsterdam.

Klinsmann: Musiala’s return is huge for Bayern Munich

Jürgen Klinsmann praises Jamal Musiala after he scored on his first start since returning from injury in Bayern’s 2-1 win vs. PSV.

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Q3. Arsenal and Bayern Munich are clearly the front-runners to win it all based on their dominance in the league phase. Is there any other team that comes close and can win it all?

Dawson: Real Madrid. It’s been a turbulent season with the noise around Vinícius Júnior and the departure of Xabi Alonso, but it’s still a team packed full of special players. Often, Champions League knockout ties are decided by moments, and Real Madrid have the type of attackers who produce them time and time again. Then there’s the weight of history. It’s something that’s impossible to quantify, but there’s something about Real Madrid in the Champions League. Despite their problems, they’re a team that no one will want to face in March and April.

Ogden: Arsenal and Bayern are the favorites now, but it means nothing because the slate is wiped clean at the start of the knockout rounds. The League Phase is basically a glorified preseason campaign, and now the real action begins. So, feel free to mock, but I’m tipping Liverpool and PSG to reach the final if they avoid each other along the way. Put all of your league phase stats and form guides in the bin because it’s a completely different tournament when it’s two-legged ties and sudden death. PSG will come good, and Liverpool too: we’ve all seen how Anfield can propel Liverpool to remarkable results.

Tighe: Mark’s right: The league phase isn’t a great indicator of what’s to come. You need only look at PSG here, who last season sprang to life at the turn of the year and suddenly became an unstoppable force. Tipping a team here isn’t easy, as there’s plenty of reasons to downgrade most team’s chances (Barcelona have Pedri‘s dodgy hamstrings, Liverpool are too open, Real Madrid are too combustible), so I’ll be super boring and choose … the reigning champs, PSG, again.

Lindop: I do have a weird feeling about Liverpool this season. Now, I may well end up with egg on my face as they’ve been pretty terrible at times in the Premier League this term, but for the most part, the Champions League has provided some respite, with Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid among the opponents they’ve already vanquished. With less of a focus on set pieces and physicality in Europe, Arne Slot’s side are better equipped for success. They have a lot of talented individuals and will fancy themselves to beat anyone in a knockout tie at Anfield.

The fact that they won’t be involved in a title race in the spring could also work in their favor, too.

Burley: Barcelona’s attack will be a huge threat in UCL knockouts

Craig Burley reacts to Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Olley: Barcelona. The Premier League has produced three of the past six winners and that undermines the argument I’m about to make … but the intensity of English football can often catch up with teams who reach the latter stages of the competition. Three games a week for months on end, with no winter break, plus the intensity of a title race — which may now exist after Arsenal’s recent form — may all be factors. Barcelona look more stable than Real Madrid, although I see Rob’s argument about their pedigree and individual quality being a threat to anyone. We may all feel stupid ignoring last season’s champions, PSG, too.

Marcotti: They’re kind of two different questions. Being the third best team right now and being the third favorite are two different things. Heck, if Arsenal get embroiled in an energy-sapping title race, they might not be the favorites. A lot can happen in a few months. For me, Barcelona are the third best team right now (with all their foibles). Third-favorites to win, well, I’m not going to discount Real Madrid, simply because of pedigree, Kylian Mbappé and Thibaut Courtois. I am slightly surprised how gung-ho everybody is about Paris Saint-Germain. Compared to last season, they downgraded their goalkeeper (at least, short-term), Marquinhos is a year older and they’ve already lost to Marseille, Paris FC, AS Monaco, Bayern (at home!) and Sporting CP this season.

Kirkland: I’ve got big doubts about both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barça’s defense is weak. No clean sheets in the Champions League this season, with 14 goals conceded, is not good enough. They conceded three goals at Club Brugge, and two at Slavia Prague. I’m not sure they can be relied upon in the latter stages. And yes, Madrid have Mbappé, Courtois and an improving Vini Jr, but they’re not particularly strong at the back either, or in midfield. Just look at how many chances they gave up to Benfica on Wednesday. I’d look to Liverpool or PSG.

Laurens: There is no way this current PSG team can win it again. Going back to back is hard enough if you keep your level at the same height from one season to the next, but it’s even harder if your level drops! This team is the shadow of the team that walked over Europe’s best last season, so rule them out! I still think that another Premier League team would be third favorite. My money would be on Liverpool and Manchester City. I know they have issues so far this season, but they are also capable on their day, with their key players, to beat anyone else.

Marsden: Forget the top two, because holders PSG still have to be the favorites for me. The league phase is increasingly relevant, and home advantage in the second leg through to a potential final will be huge for Arsenal and Bayern, but the key is who peaks in spring, not winter. A demanding Premier League campaign may count against Arsenal later in the competition, and while Lens are pushing PSG hard, Luis Enrique’s side should be able to better balance European football. Bayern’s commanding Bundesliga lead could help them stay fresh for the Champions League’s latter phases well.

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Q4. Who/what was your favorite moment/goal/player of the league phase, and why?

Tighe: I’ll probably never stop mentioning it: I was in the stadium for Micky van de Ven‘s outrageous solo goal for Tottenham vs. F.C. København. It’s the best goal I’ve ever seen live. He picked the ball up on the edge of his own box, started running and just kept going. He beat five, arguably six, players and lashed it in. Not only was it a ridiculous individual feat, but that stadium really hasn’t seen too many positive moments this season, so I’d count myself as even more fortunate on account of that.

Marcotti: I’m going to go a bit left field here. It’s week one of the Champions League, Kairat Almaty, debutants in the competition, traveling away to Sporting CP. Their first-choice keeper got injured in the qualifying round against Celtic to get them into the league phase. Their second-choice keeper got injured four days earlier, in a league game, so 18-year-old Sherhan Kalmurza has to make his first-ever start as a professional.

After 21 minutes, Sporting get a penalty. Kalmurza bounces up and down in the goalmouth. Morten Hjulmand takes the spot-kick and Kalmurza’s kick save denies him the goal! It didn’t last. Sporting scored four and a week later, he conceded five at home to Real Madrid. But no matter. Thanks to an 18-year-old debutant, until the 44th minute (when Sporting took the lead), you believed in fairy tales.

Dawson: I’m going for Jens Petter Hauge’s goal for Bodo/Glimt against Manchester City. It’s obviously not a moment Pep Guardiola will remember fondly, but for the Bodo/Glimt fans packed into the stadium that night, it’s something they’ll never forget. It was a superb effort, with Hauge feinting away from Rodri with a clever step-over before guiding his shot into the top corner; Gianluigi Donnarumma could only watch the ball fly past as he sank to his knees. What a goal, and what a night for Bodo/Glimt.

Kirkland: For Real Madrid, two individual performances stand out. Mbappé’s four-goal haul at Olympiacos — including a seven-minute hat trick — and Vinícius‘ display against Monaco in Matchday 7. Madrid haven’t been convincing overall, but Mbappé, as the competition’s top scorer so far, has delivered. Also, it felt like so long since we’d seen Vini performing at this level, with this kind of intensity and energy, creating three goals and then scoring a brilliant solo effort himself.

Burley: Man City won’t come close to winning the Champions League

Craig Burley believes Manchester City’s defence isn’t good enough for Pep Guardiola’s side to win the Champions League.

Olley: From the games I attended, Estevao’s performance against Barcelona was a memorable highlight. Lamine Yamal is obviously a phenomenal talent, and the game was billed as Estevao’s chance to show he could one day reach Yamal’s level: two 18-year-olds with the world at their feet. It felt an unfair framing given how much Yamal has already achieved in the game and yet, on the night, the Brazilian produced a magical display capped by a brilliant individual goal.

Lindop: Well, I’ve backed Liverpool to win the whole thing so I’m going to pick out Dominik Szoboszlai as my player of the league phase. The Hungary international has been the Reds’ best performer by some distance, with four goals and three assists in the Champions League so far. His pressure penalty to secure a victory away to Inter Milan and his clever free kick against Marseille were highlights. If Slot’s side do go all the way this term, you can bet that Szoboszlai will have something to do with it.

Ogden: It feels like a lifetime ago now, but Marcus Rashford‘s two goals for Barcelona against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Matchday 1 were a real highlight — especially his stunning 20-yard strike. We’ve all seen Rashford have ups and downs during his time at Manchester United, and the ups included some great goals in big games — his performance against Eddie Howe’s side was a reminder of why he can still be a world-class player. Consistency has always been Rashford’s problem, but he owned the Champions League stage that night.

Marsden: It has to be Yamal’s goal against Club Brugge not just because it was a brilliant goal, slightly different to some of the other strikes we’ve seen so far, but because of how crazy the match was. Brugge led three times against Barça before eventually drawing 3-3 in a crazy game in Belgium. The Yamal goal, which made it 2-2, was superb. Grabbing the ball outside the box, he ghosted between two opponents and passed to Fermín López, who flicked it back to him, and then produced an outrageous finish with the outside of his boot.

Laurens: For me, it has to be Mbappé’s whole campaign so far. To score 12 goals in seven games is exceptional. There was his quadruple against Olympiacos, of course, but everything he has done so far in the competition has been amazing. He is on track to get close to his idol Cristiano Ronaldo‘s record of 17 goals in a Champions League campaign. To do it in a dysfunctional side like this current Real Madrid, still not at their best collectively, is even more remarkable.

Getty Images

Welcome to ‘Wild Wednesday’: Watching five minutes of all 18 Champions League games

By Tim SpiersJan. 29, 2026Updated Jan. 30, 2026The Athletic has live coverage of today’s Champions League knockout play-off draw.

When UEFA changed the format of the Champions League, it was for nights like this.

The Swiss model, now more famous than Swiss Cottage station on the London Tube network but not yet as famous as Swiss cheese, replaced the old eight groups of four model (less catchy) in 2024.

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The final day was pretty good last year, with 64 goals in the 18 games, but no big teams dropped out and the big will-they-won’t-they? of the night saw Paris Saint-Germain stroll past Stuttgart 4-1 to avoid an early elimination (wonder what happened to them).

While the new format has, fairly, been accused of having a lack of jeopardy, 17 of the 18 matches on this season’s edition had something riding on them, a dream scenario for the tournament organisers. This is Aleksander Ceferin on a stick, the UEFA bat symbol lit up in the night sky.

Going into the final round of matches in 2023 (the last year with the eight-groups-of-four model), 11 of the 32 teams had already qualified and nine were out of the competition.

Conversely, tonight (Wednesday), of the 36 teams, only six are either already through (Arsenal and Bayern Munich) or out (Villarreal, Kairat, Slavia Prague and Eintracht Frankfurt).

True to form, The Athletic, as a year ago, want a dogsbody to watch all 18 matches in one night, so here we are. This better be good.

We’ll keep the format the same as last year, splitting the 18 games into five-minute chunks, because five x 18 = 90.

The order has been (mostly) carefully curated, with a couple of scene-setters at the top, some do-or-die games to finish, and then the likes of Marseille (who have scored four goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches) early on, with late scorers PSV (seven in the final 15 minutes of games) towards the end. And then in stoppage time we’ll go freestyle.

This is the order for the night…

• 0-5 minutes: PSG vs Newcastle
• 6-10: Club Brugge vs Marseille
• 11-15: Arsenal vs Kairat
• 16-20: Monaco vs Juventus
• 21-25: Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal
• 26-30: Pafos vs Slavia Prague
• 31-35: Liverpool vs Qarabag
• 36-40: Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt
• 41-45: Manchester City vs Galatasaray
• 46-50: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Atalanta
• 51-55: Benfica vs Real Madrid
• 56-60: Barcelona vs Copenhagen
• 61-65: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham
• 66-70: Athletic Club vs Sporting CP
• 71-75: Borussia Dortmund vs Inter
• 76-80: PSV vs Bayern Munich
• 81-85: Ajax vs Olympiacos
• 86-90: Napoli vs Chelsea

Of the 64 goals scored on last year’s ‘Wild Wednesday’, as no one has dubbed it, we witnessed five of them live, so hopefully we can top that tonight.

Right, we begin in Paris…

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0-5 mins: PSG vs Newcastle

There are two mentions by the UK’s TNT Sports commentator Darren ‘Fletch’ Fletcher of Paris Fashion Week in the couple of minutes approaching kick-off (including “the pitch has replaced the catwalk”), which, to be honest, immediately makes us want to switch to another game already, but we shall persevere.

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The hosts go straight on the attack… and win a penalty! Inside 5o seconds! Blimey, we’re on for 18 goals at this rate.

VAR has stopped the game because the ball came off Sven Botman’s foot onto Bradley Barcola’s arm and then onto Lewis Miley’s arm. In 2026, that’s a penno, but co-commentator Steve McManaman strongly disagrees and pleads a defence for Miley that he’s no longer aware of where his limbs are: “He’s chasing back, he doesn’t know where his arm is. It’s ridiculous.”

Anyway, we’re chatting about the commentary because of the five minutes we watch PSG vs Newcastle, three minutes and seven seconds are taken up by that VAR check. Right, here’s the penalty… and it’s saved! Nick Pope brilliantly dives to block one-handed from Ousmane Dembele.

Video for UK readers

Ousmane Dembélé’s penalty is saved by Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal 🧤@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/HQ94EwAyRD

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 28, 2026

Lovely stuff. What a night we’ve got in store here. Time to turn over.

Elsewhere: Copenhagen take a shock lead in Barcelona, while Athletic Club are ahead against Sporting and Arsenal and Club Brugge also score early, while Spurs have one ruled out.

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6-10 mins: Club Brugge vs Marseille

We’re “in Bruges” to see quick starters Marseille score their customary early goal.

No, wait, co-commentator Andy Townsend is talking about limp goalkeeper wrists and a dream start for the home side… and now they’re showing a slow-motion replay of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg shaking his head. Yep, the home side are in front already and we’ve missed it.

With Copenhagen winning in Barcelona, both the Danes and the Belgians are overtaking Marseille, who are down to 25th as things stand after six minutes.

Marseille look a bit forlorn, Leonardo Balerdi is so out of sorts he manages to tread on the ball and there are no shots for either team in our five minutes. Time to turn over.

Elsewhere: Vitinha puts PSG ahead, and there’s a second goal at the Emirates; Arsenal 1-1 Kairat.

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11-15 mins: Arsenal vs Kairat

Yep, it’s already one each here. Great. Eberechi Eze is playing for Arsenal, so this must be their reserve team.

Oh, and now apparently Club Brugge have scored again… with their goals in the fourth and 11th minutes infuriatingly placed either side of the five minutes we were watching events in Belgium. Is this going to be one of those nights?

Onward. The Emirates looks pretty full, and there’s a hefty roar from the away fans as Kairat cross the halfway line. Then Gabriel Martinelli tries to win successive headers in midfield in what feels like a scrappy game. Still, Kairat’s Dortmund-esque kit looks pretty swish, so there’s that.

The only shot we’ve seen so far tonight is the saved PSG penalty. And now we’ve got to switch over to Monaco… but here comes Kai Havertz cutting inside… and he’s scored with a second to spare! Lovely strike. No time for a replay, though, as we’re heading to the Mediterranean!

Kai Havertz scores for ArsenalMike Hewitt/Getty Images

Elsewhere: Erling Haaland’s first open-play goal this side of Christmas puts Manchester City ahead against Galatasaray.

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16-20 mins: Monaco vs Juventus

Right, we’ve seen two shots in 15 minutes, with one of them being a goal and the other a penalty save, that’s an impressive excitement-per-shot ratio.

What can Monaco and Juventus give us? It’s 0-0, the Italians need to win to sneak into the top eight, while Monaco are 22nd, a point ahead of the team in 24th.

They’re showing replays of a disallowed Monaco goal: Folarin Balogun pushed a defender before finding the net and Monaco boss Sebastien Pocognoli still isn’t over it. He’s arguing and has been booked.

This is a huge game for Monaco, but unsurprisingly there are loads of empty seats. There’s not much going on, so the commentators have started talking about the Monaco team of 2003. Yep, nothing to see here.

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Elsewhere: Chelsea are winning in Naples through an Enzo Fernandez penalty and Pafos’ Vlad Dragomir has scored a 30-yard piledriver.

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21-25 mins: Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal

And we arrive in Leverkusen to a free kick being lined up by the away team, who are officially the worst in the competition, 36th out of 36.

It’s 1-0 to Leverkusen but we are informed the home goalkeeper has had “nothing to do”. The free kick reaches former Chelsea defender Renato Veiga, who heads not far wide. That’s only the third attempt at goal we’ve seen so far.

A win guarantees a play-off spot for Leverkusen and they seem to be strolling to it. Malik Tillman, who scored that opener, sees a shot deflected wide by Veiga after a lovely flowing move.

Elsewhere: A second goal for Liverpool against Qarabag from Florian Wirtz.

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26-30 mins: Pafos vs Slavia Prague

To Pafos! Where’s that? Cyprus, of course, where a few players are wearing short-sleeved shirts. No wonder, it’s a balmy 14C (57F) at what must be the hottest match of the night?

The action’s not too hot on the pitch, but the commentator is talking about a “spectacular, stunning goal that will be forever remembered in these parts”. Sure. Good. Glad we missed that one. Still waiting to see our fourth shot.

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Pafos seem pretty content to sit on their lead. We’re now being told about a Pafos player who is formerly of Udinese and Watford (doesn’t narrow it down much) and there’s nothing happening.

We’re not sad to be switching over.

Elsewhere: Rayan Cherki doubles City’s lead, while Athletic are 2-1 ahead against Sporting.

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31-35 mins: Liverpool vs Qarabag

A graphic showing the scoreline and scorers is on screen as we head to Anfield. Wirtz has scored, another miraculous goal we’ve missed.

It’s pretty quiet on Merseyside. Qarabag are in possession with playmaker Montiel (not that one) apparently having provided a creative spark so far, but he makes no play at all while we’re watching.

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Liverpool, who’ve got a strong side out, go close when Andy Robertson flashes a drive over the bar. A rare shot for us.

Right, who’s going to step up? We ride for Spain.

Elsewhere: Kylian Mbappe has put Real Madrid ahead at Benfica, while Napoli have equalised.

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36-40 mins: Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt

And they’re talking about Bodo/Glimt having just scored. Of course they are. How many black cats did we run over while driving under a ladder today?

It’s 1-1, and the Norwegians are right in the hunt for the top 24, despite having only won one match of their seven so far, with three draws keeping them in contention.

Atletico are dominating possession and it’s probably a bit too warm for the lads from the Arctic Circle at 7C (45F). Anyway, it’s a great atmosphere at the Metropolitano. Obviously, we don’t witness an attempt at goal.

Elsewhere: Benfica have equalised.

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41-45 mins: Manchester City vs Galatasaray

So how are City’s unusual centre-back pairing of Abdukodir Khusanov and Nathan Ake getting on against Victor Osimhen?

Well it’s 2-0 to the hosts and in terms of noise the Etihad is the quietest stadium so far, not helped by the usually rowdy Turkish fans being silenced by the scoreline.

On TNT, co-commentator Robbie Savage is talking about the effectiveness of City’s 4-2-2-2 formation, with full-backs Matheus Nunes and Rayan Ait-Nouri giving them good width and, as if by magic, Ait-Nouri barges down the left with a piercing run and cuts back for Phil Foden… who blazes over from 12 yards.

At least we saw a shot.

Phil Foden missed a good chance for Manchester CityOli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images

In 45 minutes of football, and with 28 goals scored around the grounds, we’ve seen precisely one of them, and that was in the only one of tonight’s 18 matches that has nothing riding on it. The odds of being that bored are slim.

Elsewhere: Rasmus Hojlund puts Napoli 2-1 up against Chelsea, while Joe Willock equalises for Newcastle in Paris.

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46-50 mins: Union Saint-Gilloise vs Atalanta

One of the six goalless games so far is in Belgium, where Union Saint-Gilloise must win and hope, although at the moment not even victory will do as results are going against them. A goal for Atalanta at this point would take them into fifth place, but our presence from hundreds of miles away guarantees that won’t happen just yet.

Again, there are plenty of empty seats. Maybe they’re all at home watching five minutes of every Champions League match. Nope, they’re not weird.

Anyway, the highlight of our five minutes is a shot from Union Saint-Gilloise’s brilliantly-named Brazilian forward Guilherme Smith, saved by the equally-excellently-named Marco Sportiello.

Elsewhere: Randal Kolo Muani puts Spurs 1-0 up in Frankfurt, while Robert Lewandowski equalises for Barcelona.

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51-55 mins: Barcelona vs Copenhagen

This was supposed to be the slot for Benfica vs Real Madrid but the players haven’t even appeared from the tunnel yet! What’s going on?! Abort, abort. We’re going to have to push it back to later and bring Barcelona’s game forward.

There are empty seats at the Camp Nou too, but for very different reasons, as the stadium remains only half-open post-redevelopment. And, of course, we’ve just missed a goal.

It’s a pretty open game with Barcelona pretty much hammering Copenhagen. Fermin Lopez goes close when he fires into the side netting and there’s one-touch play to salivate over involving him, Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo. This is by far the best football we’ve seen tonight.

Elsewhere: Olympiacos have taken the lead away at Ajax in a winners-take-all match.

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56-60 mins: Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham

Right, it’s the 56th minute in Frankfurt, Spurs are either winning or their fans are foaming at the mouth and calling for Thomas Frank to be axed.

It’s the former! They’re playing alright and 1-0 up.

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Wilson Odobert does a nice little run and cross, which is blocked. This is possibly a decent game but, if it is, we’ve probably just watched the worst five minutes of it. Literally nothing to report.

Elsewhere: Jamal Musiala scores his first goal for Bayern Munich since breaking his left leg at the Club World Cup in July, while Glimt have scored again against Atletico.

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61-65 mins: Athletic Club v Sporting CP

Athletic Club are 2-1 up and immediately we turn on to a chance for Sporting. This bodes well. Geny Catamo volleys into the ground and over the bar from close range.

Sporting are looking pretty good here and… hang on, it’s a goal! We have a football goal! And it is absolutely beautiful. About 30 Sporting fans (genuinely) in the away, er, row go mental.

Francisco Trincao, the former Wolves loanee, has three players around him 25 yards out and plays to Pedro Goncalves (another ex-Wolves boy), who returns the one-two and then Trincao tucks it past the ’keeper. Woof.

Francisco Trincao, left, celebrates scoring Sporting’s second goal with Geny CatamoAnder Gillenea/AFP via Getty Images

The hosts respond immediately with Gorka Guruzeta firing just wide. This is decent. Athletic are in 26th and heading out on goal difference as things stand. Shame we have to move on, really.

Elsewhere: Yamal puts Barcelona ahead, Joao Pedro equalises for Chelsea and Liverpool go 5-0 up.

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66-70 mins: Borussia Dortmund vs Inter

“It does feel as if this game is finally breaking out into something entertaining.”

TNT commentator Jacqui Oatley welcomes us to Germany with some good news. It’s 0-0, but apparently getting better.

This game pits 16th against 13th, although if Inter can score they’ll rise into the top eight and dump defending champions PSG into next month’s play-offs.

Serhou Guirassy is subbed off to be replaced by Karim Adeyemi and honestly that is the most interesting thing to happen during a five-minute spell that’s so dull it could be used as a torture technique. Back to the status quo.

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Elsewhere: Two penalties: Raphinha extends Barcelona’s lead against Copenhagen and Ajax equalise against Olympiacos.

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71-75 mins: PSV v Bayern Munich

In Eindhoven, Bayern Munich were already qualified for the round of 16 before kick-off and are 1-0 up, while PSV are down in 30th as things stand and heading out of the competition. One goal, though, will send them through on goal difference.

The first thing to notice is that Bayern’s away kit — black shirts with red shorts — is quite hideous. At least we’ve only got five minutes with it.

PSV may need a goal to stay in the Champions League but that doesn’t stop their Sergino Dest piddling around with a rabona cross into the box. Fair play, lad.

It feels like a good, attacking phase of the game, with Michael Olise driving one low across goal and 20-year-old defender Tom Bischof languidly sending a 60-yard pass to Luis Diaz. Bayern are a really lovely side.

A nice, flowing move involving Aleksandar Pavlovic, Harry Kane and Alphonso Davies ends with them winning a corner, but that’s time up for us.

Elsewhere: Union Saint-Gilloise are ahead against Atalanta.

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76-80 mins: Ajax v Olympiacos

You can immediately feel the angst in Amsterdam. This is a must-win for both if they’re to avoid elimination, although Ajax’s horrendous goal difference (-12) means their prospects are slim.

It’s 1-1, and Olympiacos are also heading out because Benfica are beating Real Madrid and Athletic Club are drawing. If those scorelines change, a point could be enough, though. It’s tense.

Oh, apparently PSV have now just equalised. We were literally just there! Nice one, world!

Anyway, it’s Olympiacos, wearing a really dull grey kit, doing the pressing, with an over-hit cross nervously put behind by the Ajax defence for a corner. We’ve got 90 seconds before we need to switch…

No, wait, it’s a goal! Olympiacos are heading for the play-offs as nobody even bothers challenging Santiago Hezze (another great name) as he squeezes a header into the corner.

Santiago Hezze heads in for OlympiacosDean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

The away team celebrate right in front of the Ajax fans, who take it really well and offer their congratulations, sending over a couple of drinks by way of a prize.

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Elsewhere: Dominic Solanke has put Spurs two up in Frankfurt and Club Brugge are now 3-0 ahead against Marseille.

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81-85 mins: Napoli vs Chelsea

It’s amazing how just one second of a football match can tell you so much; it’s noisy and rowdy in Naples, Marc Cucurella is arguing with an official and you can immediately sense the tension and the intensity. It’s 2-2. Napoli are heading out on goal difference, Chelsea need to score again to finish in the top eight.

Romelu Lukaku is subbed on for his 800th career appearance to a huge ovation. Napoli need him. They’ve gone two up front.

But wait — what a move, what a goal! Chelsea! Oh wow, Joao Pedro that is quite something. He plays to Cole Palmer, spins and darts towards goal, and Palmer obliges with the return pass. Joao Pedro has Alejandro Garnacho to square to, but doesn’t need him and finishes with authority for (apparently) his second of the night. What a counter-attack that is.

Video for UK readers

Joao Pedro shoots gives Chelsea the lead to shoot them up in the table ⬆️

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/XqB5thFF1b

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 28, 2026

Video for U.S. readers

João Pedro silences the Maradona as he bags his brace and puts Chelsea in front ✨ pic.twitter.com/LIt5cdePTq

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 28, 2026

Napoli are down to 30th in the table. Scott McTominay crashes a cross-shot into orbit. It’s all going wrong.

And now it’s flat, Antonio Conte looks pained. Five minutes ago it was frantic, now it’s disconsolate. And on we go again. Football.

Best thing missed elsewhere: Federico Dimarco puts Inter ahead in Dortmund with a brilliant free kick and Bayern are back in front against PSV thanks to Kane.

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86-90 minutes: Benfica vs Real Madrid

We’re getting bonus time for our finale; there are 83 minutes on the clock due to the second half starting late. There are empty seats here, too, but that’s because of people abandoning their front-row seats due to what looks like torrential rain in Lisbon.

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More short sleeves. It’s 17C (63F). Oh, and this looks hot on the pitch too, it’s 3-2 to Benfica but somehow they’re still going out in 25th on goals scored, being level on points and goal difference with Marseille, who are being walloped 3-0 in Bruges, plus Glimt are improbably still winning against Atletico in Madrid. Real Madrid are heading through to the last 16 in eighth by the skin of their teeth, on goal difference.

Thibaut Courtois makes a save at the near post, then Mbappe sees a low shot blocked, then Andreas Schjelderup has a decent effort for Benfica… this is action, action, action.

Hang on, Sporting have gone 3-2 up in Bilbao, so Madrid are down into the play-off spots. This is 25th versus ninth now and both teams need to score to achieve their objective. And there are to be a minimum of five added minutes!

Right, Raul Asencio has just been sent off for a second booking, Madrid are really up against it.

Now it’s all gone a bit weird. Benfica need to score or they’re out, but Jose Mourinho is taking off their two goalscorers tonight and sending on Antonio Silva, a centre-back. This is madness. He’s not settling for the moral 3-2 victory, is he? Is their 5G not working? Someone fire up a short-wave radio and tell him the scores. Or send a carrier pigeon.

Every other game has finished, it’s literally next goal wins here, and 10-man Madrid are on the attack and Benfica just don’t seem bothered. Their goalkeeper goes to ground with the ball in his arms and then takes his time to release it. They genuinely haven’t a clue, have they?

Oh, this is carnage. Madrid’s Rodrygo has been sent off now, no idea why, but Benfica have a free kick. And now they seem to get it: the Benfica subs are all out of the dugout now, screaming at their team-mates. Whatever the word for ‘goal’ is in Portuguese (‘gol’), they’re shouting it. Where was this 10 minutes ago?

And the goalkeeper’s going up! Here we go…

OH MY GOD, IT’S A MIRACLE! The ’keeper has scored! Anatoliy Trubin!

Video for UK readers

THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE 🔥

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scores a 98th minute goal to keep Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the competition 💥

📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplus pic.twitter.com/Vqtndh565T

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 28, 2026

Video for U.S. readers

GOALKEEPER ANATOLIY TRUBIN SCORES A 98TH MINUTE GOAL AGAINST REAL MADRID TO SAVE BENFICA’S #UCL SEASON WITH THE FINAL TOUCH OF THE MATCH! 😱

IMAGINE NOT LOVING FOOTBALL 🤯 pic.twitter.com/y0thIBEQb5

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 28, 2026

Mourinho’s down the touchline, Trubin’s done a knee slide, there’s a pile on! Fans going mad! Some aren’t celebrating because they’re recording it on their phones and literally what are you doing mate it’s safe to say this match is being recorded what’s happened to society just enjoy the moment but NEVER MIND THAT THE ’KEEPER HAS SCORED! Absolutely incredible.

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That is genuinely beyond belief. They were playing for time a minute earlier. And look at the replay — nine-man Madrid left two players up and had a one-man wall, so in the box it was eight Benfica players to their five. No wonder the ’keeper had a free header.

Best thing missed elsewhere: Were you not just reading? The bloody goalkeeper scored a 98th-minute winner to put Benfica into the play-offs!

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Conclusions

There’s something to be said for this concept. And that something is, it’s madness.

After a bleak period of nine matches without a goal, plus barely a shot to speak of, patience (sort of) was rewarded with three goals in three games at the end, which was a reflection of the wider picture on the night.

There were 61 goals across the piece, which averages out as 3.4 goals per game. Having watched five goals live, plus a penalty save, two red cards and the greatest ending to a Champions League opening-stage match in history, well, we’ll take that. See you in a year.

The Champions League group phase has merits but it’s bloated. This is how to fix it -Commentary – NY Times

Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid must face the play-offs next month after finishing ninth in the Champions League’s 36-team table Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images

By Michael CoxJan. 29, 2026Updated Jan. 30, 2026The Athletic has live coverage of today’s Champions League knockout play-off draw.

As goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin headed home a stunning late goal to send Benfica into the Champions League knockout phase on goal difference, in one moment the competition’s new ‘Swiss League’ model felt worthy of celebration.

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Benfica were already winning 3-2 but needed to beat Real Madrid 4-2 to sneak ahead of Marseille and into the all-important 24th place in the final league table. This, in all probability, would not have happened in a traditional four-team group stage.

What unfolded in Lisbon on Wednesday were the final seconds of a rather bloated eight-matchday league phase which has, by and large, offered little drama in its second season. The new model has its merits; the old model did, too. The best solution might be a compromise.

The first issue to consider, when assessing the Champions League’s ‘new’ system, is that different people follow football matches in different ways. And there are two groups of people for whom the revised format is largely beneficial.

For supporters who watch every game their side play, there’s an obvious advantage to seeing them face eight opponents once each, rather than the same three twice. And increasingly, there’s a group of football fans who, in essence, don’t watch any matches at all — we’ve seen in recent years the advent of ‘Red Zone’ or ‘goals show’ type programmes, which cut from ground to ground chasing drama and benefit from the idea of constant, chaotic action.

Maybe there aren’t many of us left in the category we’ll call “People who just want to sit down and watch any match that looks promising, where they know what’s at stake”, and therefore these complaints might not be overwhelmingly relevant. But, personally speaking, almost none of the Champions League matches so far have felt genuinely important. There were some entertaining ones, and some good team performances, but the games also suffered from a lack of obvious meaning.

There’s no point over-glorifying the old group-stage format, though. In the modern era, where the gap between rich and poor clubs is enormous, there was a relative lack of tension throughout, and a raft of dead rubbers towards matchdays five and six. You could usually find at least one good game to watch in every round, but UEFA can’t be blamed for experimenting. And the ‘Swiss League’ was a hugely bold experiment; a format never used in any serious football competition before. So let’s be honest about its main benefits:

1. Clubs play a wider variety of opponents.

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2. There’s less chance of a team racing clear at the top, and having dead rubbers in their final fixtures(s).

3. There’s less chance of a side being disadvantaged by a difficult draw.

But there are also issues.

1. In a traditional group stage, results are important not merely because you are collecting points yourself, but because you are denying your rivals points. To a small extent that remains the case, of course, but when you have 35 opponents instead of three, the degree to which you influence their results is considerably less important. In essence, the old system created more ‘six-pointers’.

2. Going into the final round of matches with eight clubs on 13 points (three of them in the top eight, finishing in which means going through directly to the round of 16, and five of them in line for the play-offs that precede that stage) sounds exciting on paper. Working out the permutations of a final-day shootout can be quite enjoyable. But this is just so complex, with so many moving parts, that it becomes difficult to follow. Eighteen concurrent games crosses the threshold from ‘dramatic’ to ‘bewildering’, and the fact Benfica didn’t realise — until shortly before their late goal — that they actually needed to score should be a source of concern as well as amusement.What You Should Read NextWelcome to ‘Wild Wednesday’: Watching five minutes of all 18 Champions League gamesWe asked Tim Spiers to watch a bit of every game on ‘wild Wednesday’, the night Europe’s elite discovered their Champions League fates

3. There is no reason the league stage needs to be eight matches rather than the previous six — that’s simply two extra games for the sake of more revenue.

4. Similarly, the play-off round also seems largely unnecessary. Nobody ever suggested that going straight to the round of 16 was an issue. At a time of concern about fixture congestion, this feels like a major misstep, and is partly needed to create more key cut-off points in the bloated 36-team initial phase.

5. For all the seeding to ensure the teams all play a similar level of opposition across their eight fixtures, there remains something unsatisfactory about a league phase where you don’t play every other side in the division. That has, for nearly 150 years, been a fundamental part of what we consider ‘league football’: you play everyone else in your league.

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So is the solution not a hybrid of the two systems, the old group stage and the new league phase? In other words, rather than four-team groups, and rather than a rabble of 36 teams all in the same table, one big league that is essentially split into different mini-leagues.

By dividing the 36 in half — making two tables of 18 — you immediately have two ‘final days’, and in a world where the whole idea is creating extra televisual events, this would create a Tuesday and a Wednesday of drama, without anyone playing any extra matches. Besides, an 18-team league is more in keeping with the number we’re accustomed to — leagues do not, and probably should not, feature 36 sides. Maybe it goes against the general point of the Swiss model, but it would surely be easier to follow.

Ousmane Dembele’s PSG have failed to qualify automatically for the last 16 in successive Champions League campaignsFranco Arland/Getty Images

Alternatively, you could divide things in half again: four groups of nine. Teams would still play eight matches against eight different opponents, which is the main benefit of the current system (albeit you’d need nine matchdays, with each team having one rest day).

That would create a balance between the old and new formats, and the smaller groups would be easier to follow. The permutations would be clearer. There would be more tension attached to individual matches, because taking points away from your direct rivals would be more meaningful. The league would be more complete, as teams would play everyone else in their division.

Last season’s league phase felt relatively exciting because two of the favourites — Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain — struggled to reach the knockout stage. But this was surely an anomaly: it owed little to the competition’s setup, and the switch to eight matches rather than six offers less chance of surprises.

Year two is probably more typical of what the league phase will bring: lots of matches, none of which appear to mean a great deal, and then some brilliant last-ditch drama so we remember the format as an overall success.

Already, this way of operating a tournament seems to be catching on — the women’s Champions League has used a similar system this season (with only six matches), and the revamped Women’s League Cup in England will follow the format from 2026-27. That seems a little hasty.

The experiment of a new system has been worthwhile. But it should be considered something to learn from and improve upon, rather than the definitive end-point.

By Michael Cox

Football Writer