By Desmond Nleya
Barcelona secured automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League last 16 after a dominant 4–1 comeback victory over Copenhagen at the Camp Nou, while Paris Saint-Germain were forced into the playoffs following a frustrating draw.
The Catalans finished fifth in the league standings with 16 points, level with Manchester City, Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon but ahead on goal difference. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Marcus Rashford sealed a top-eight finish and spared Barcelona from the additional playoff round.
Copenhagen stunned the home crowd early when 17-year-old Viktor Dadason broke the deadlock in the fourth minute, racing past Barcelona’s high defensive line to slot home. Barcelona struggled to respond before halftime, wasting several chances, including an Eric Garcia effort that struck the crossbar.
The second half, however, belonged entirely to the hosts. Three minutes after the restart, Yamal led a swift counterattack and squared the ball for Lewandowski to equalise. Yamal then put Barcelona ahead on the hour mark with a deflected strike that left goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski stranded.
Raphinha extended the lead from the penalty spot after Lewandowski was fouled in the box, before substitute Rashford sealed the win with a free kick late on.
“We came here knowing we had to finish in the top eight,” said 18-year-old Yamal. “When you concede in the Champions League it’s difficult, but the team showed great resilience.”
Despite the emphatic win, defensive concerns linger for Barcelona, who ended the league phase without a single clean sheet and recorded the weakest defence among the top 13 teams.
PSG Miss Out as Dembele Falters
Paris Saint-Germain failed to secure automatic qualification after drawing 1–1 with Newcastle United, a result that sent both sides into the playoffs.
Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele endured a difficult night, missing an early penalty that was saved by Nick Pope and later blazing a close-range chance over the bar. PSG took the lead through Vitinha, but Joe Willock equalised for Newcastle just before halftime.
European Heavyweights Finish Strong
Elsewhere, Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6–0 to finish third, with Alexis Mac Allister scoring twice and Mohamed Salah also on target. Chelsea came from behind to beat Napoli 3–2 and secure sixth place, eliminating the Italian side in the process.
Sporting Lisbon snatched a dramatic late win at Athletic Bilbao to claim a top-eight finish, pushing Real Madrid into the playoffs. Manchester City also avoided the extra round by defeating Galatasaray 2–0.
Arsenal became the first club in the new 36-team Champions League format to finish with a perfect record, edging Kairat Almaty 3–2, while Bayern Munich completed their campaign with a win at PSV Eindhoven.
Inter Milan and Juventus will join PSG in the playoffs, alongside Atletico Madrid, who were stunned 2–1 at home by Bodo/Glimt in one of the night’s biggest upsets.
The teams finishing ninth to 24th will discover their playoff opponents in Friday’s draw, as UEFA’s expanded format delivered late drama across Europe once again.
