UEFA Champions League Matchday 7: Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Milan edge closer to final 16

Real Madrid thrash Salzburg; Arsenal and Milan dominate, while Celtic and Feyenoord get vital wins in UCL.

Real Madrid strengthened their bid to retain their Champions League title with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Red Bull Salzburg. After a shaky start to their league phase, Los Blancos delivered a commanding performance at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Rodrygo opened the scoring with an angled volley after a clever build-up and doubled the lead with a stunning one-two with Jude Bellingham. Goals from Kylian Mbappé and a brace from Vinícius Júnior sealed the win, securing Madrid at least a play-off spot.

 

 

 

 

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Salzburg's elimination was confirmed, despite a consolation goal from Mads Bidstrup.

Arsenal edge closer to Champions League last 16

Arsenal cruised past Dinamo Zagreb with a dominant 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium, virtually securing a top-eight finish. Declan Rice’s second-minute strike set the tone, while Kai Havertz doubled the lead with a header before Martin Ødegaard added a third late on.

 

 

 

 

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Mikel Arteta's side, who have conceded just two goals in this campaign, need to avoid a heavy defeat in Girona to bypass the play-offs. Zagreb, unable to threaten, are eliminated. Arteta praised his side's defensive solidity and home form as they look ahead to the knockout stages.

AC Milan narrowly defeat Girona

Rafael Leão’s first-half goal proved decisive as AC Milan beat Girona 1-0 to strengthen their position in the Champions League’s top eight. Leão slotted home Ismaël Bennacer's through ball with a ferocious strike into the top corner.

 

 

 

 

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Bryan Gil’s disallowed goal for offside spared Milan a nervy finish.

The Rossoneri sit sixth in the table with one game remaining, needing a result against Dinamo Zagreb to ensure automatic progression. Girona, with only three points, are out of contention for even the play-offs.

Inter Milan close in on top eight with Sparta Prague victory

Inter Milan secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sparta Prague, moving closer to Champions League last-16 qualification. Lautaro Martínez volleyed home Alessandro Bastoni’s cross to secure the points early on.

 

 

 

 

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Inter’s defence, which has conceded just one goal in seven games, restricted Sparta to minimal chances, with an xG of 0.35. Simone Inzaghi’s side, fourth in the table, can still finish second if results go their way in the final match against Monaco. Sparta Prague are eliminated and now prepare for a trip to Bayer Leverkusen.

Celtic clinch knockout qualification after late drama

Celtic secured Champions League knockout football for the first time in 12 years with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Young Boys in Glasgow. The breakthrough came in the 86th minute when Adam Idah's shot rebounded off captain Loris Benito for an own goal.

 

 

 

 

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Despite Daizen Maeda’s late red card and Kyogo Furughashi’s three disallowed first-half goals, the Scottish champions held on to seal their place in the play-offs. Kasper Schmeichel played a crucial role with vital saves, as Celtic survived a nervy finish to deliver for their home fans.

Feyenoord upset Bayern Munich to bolster knockout hopes

Feyenoord stunned Bayern Munich with a 3-0 victory, boosting their chances of finishing in the Champions League’s top eight. Santiago Giménez opened the scoring with a fine solo effort, then doubled the lead with a confident penalty. Ayase Ueda added a third late on to seal the win.

 

 

 

 

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Bayern’s sluggish performance, despite chances for Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala, leaves them 15th in the table, one point outside the top eight. Feyenoord, now 11th, will face Lille in their final game as they push for automatic qualification.