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Champions League knockouts lineup to be decided by hectic 18-game finish to opening phase
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PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, right, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal with Vitinha during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Sporting CP and Paris Saint-Germain, in Lisbon, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. - photo by AP Photo/Armando Franca
In a hectic last round of the Champions League opening phase Wednesday, 16 into eight just won't go. With all 36 teams playing in 18 games that kick off simultaneously, at 2000 GMT, only table-topping Arsenal and second-place Bayern Munich have sealed direct entry to the round of 16 with guaranteed top-eight finishes. Third-place Real Madrid, on 15 points, down to Borussia Dortmund in 16th place on 11 points are targeting being in the top eight when final whistles sound in eight different countries across Europe.