The UEFA Champions League knockout play-off second legs delivered a week of high drama, unforgettable comebacks, and fairy-tale stories. From Bodø/Glimt’s shocking upset over last year’s finalists Inter Milan to Galatasaray’s extra-time heroics against Juventus, the matches had fans on the edge of their seats. Drawing from the official UEFA highlights, this article breaks down every goal, key moments, and the implications for the advancing teams as they head into the round of 16.
Inter Milan 1-2 Bodø/Glimt (Aggregate: 2-5)
Bodø/Glimt continued their European dream run by knocking out Inter Milan in one of the biggest shocks of the season. The Norwegian side, already leading 3-1 from the first leg, sealed the deal in Milan. While specific goal details from the second leg highlight a resilient performance, Bodø/Glimt’s victory marks them as underdogs to watch. They advance to face potential heavyweights in the next round.
Atlético Madrid 4-1 Club Brugge (Aggregate: 7-4)
Atlético Madrid dominated Club Brugge with a commanding performance at home. Alexander Sørloth was the star, netting a hat-trick in the 23rd, 76th, and 87th minutes, while João Cardoso added another in the 48th. Club Brugge’s lone response came from Jorne Ordóñez in the 36th minute. This emphatic win propels Atlético into the round of 16 with momentum.
Newcastle United 3-2 Qarabağ (Aggregate: 9-3)
Newcastle cruised through despite a spirited fight from Qarabağ. Early strikes from Sandro Tonali (4th minute) and Joelinton (6th) set the tone, with Sven Botman adding a third in the 52nd. Qarabağ replied through Carlos Durán (50th) and Eldar Jafarguliyev (57th), but it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit. Newcastle’s attacking prowess shone through, securing their spot comfortably.
Atalanta 4-1 Borussia Dortmund (Aggregate: 4-3)
In a thrilling comeback, Atalanta overturned a 2-0 aggregate deficit against Borussia Dortmund. Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the 5th minute, followed by Davide Zappacosta (45th) and Mario Pašalić (57th). The drama peaked with Lazar Samardžić’s penalty in the 90+8th minute. Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi scored in the 75th, but it was too late. Atalanta’s late heroics earned them a deserved advancement.
Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (Aggregate: 3-1)
Real Madrid edged past Benfica in a tense encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu. Rafa Silva gave Benfica an early lead in the 14th minute, but Aurélien Tchouaméni equalized two minutes later. Vinícius Júnior sealed the win in the 80th minute. Despite not being at their vintage best, Los Blancos progressed to face either Manchester City or Sporting in the round of 16.
Juventus 3-2 Galatasaray (Aggregate: 5-7, after extra time)
This match was pure chaos. Juventus, down 4-2 from the first leg and reduced to 10 men, mounted a stunning comeback with goals from Manuel Locatelli (37th, penalty), Federico Gatti (70th), and Weston McKennie (82nd) to force extra time. But Galatasaray struck back with Victor Osimhen in the 105+1st and Bariş Alper Yılmaz in the 119th to advance 7-5 on aggregate. Osimhen’s heroics ensured Galatasaray’s survival after a major scare, setting them up against Liverpool or Tottenham next.
Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Monaco (Aggregate: 5-4)
Defending champions PSG survived a late Monaco surge at the Parc des Princes. Monaco led through Maghnes Akliouche (45th), but Marquinhos (60th) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (66th) put PSG ahead. Jordan Teze’s 90+1st equalizer made it tense, but PSG held on despite Monaco finishing with 10 men. They advance to potentially face Barcelona or Chelsea.
Looking Ahead: The Round of 16 Draw
With these results, the round of 16 is set to feature mouthwatering ties. Bodø/Glimt’s fairy tale, Atalanta’s resilience, and Galatasaray’s drama highlight why the Champions League remains Europe’s premier competition. Stay tuned for the draw on February 27, 2026, and catch more highlights on UEFA’s official channels.
Which goal stole the show for you? Share in the comments!
