UEFA Champions League Matchday 8: Spanish Clubs Fight for Knockout Stage Berths
Spanish clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, and Athletic Club aim for Champions League knockout qualification on final group stage matchday, while Villarreal exits the competition.
- • Matchday 8 of UEFA Champions League concludes group stage on January 28, 2026.
- • Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid compete for top eight knockout spots.
- • Athletic Club needs a win to reach playoff for round of 16.
- • Villarreal eliminated and to face Bayer Leverkusen in secondary competition.
Key details
The eighth and final matchday of the UEFA Champions League group stage is taking place on January 28, 2026, with Spanish clubs intensifying their battle for advancement. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético de Madrid are all vying for spots among the top eight teams to progress to the knockout phase, while Athletic Club aims to secure a place in the playoff round for the last 16. Villarreal faces elimination and will compete against Bayer Leverkusen after their exit from the tournament is confirmed.
Barcelona is set to host Copenhagen at 21:00, with the match broadcast on Movistar Plus+. The Catalan side currently holds ninth position in the Champions League group with 13 points, built on four wins, one draw, and two losses. Bolstered by recent victories, including a 4-2 win over Slavia Prague and a 3-0 triumph in LaLiga EA Sports, Barcelona leads LaLiga with 52 points from 16 wins, one draw, and three losses. Additionally, they recently lifted the Supercopa de España, fueling confidence ahead of the critical encounter.
Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid, both striving to make the top eight, face high stakes as the group stage concludes. Athletic Club's hopes for continuing in Europe depend on a victory to qualify for the round of 16 playoffs.
Meanwhile, Villarreal's continuation in the Champions League is no longer viable, with prior results ensuring their elimination; however, they will continue European competition by facing Bayer Leverkusen.
This decisive matchday marks the closing of the group phase and will set the stage for the next tournament phase, with Spain's top teams eager to secure advantageous positions.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Status of Villarreal
Sources report different statuses for Villarreal in the Champions League.
mundodeportivo.com
"Villarreal is set to exit the competition."
ondacero.es
"Villarreal, having already been eliminated, will face Bayer Leverkusen."
Why this matters: One source states Villarreal is set to exit the competition, while the other confirms they have already been eliminated. This discrepancy affects understanding of Villarreal's current standing in the tournament.