Defending champions Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have better chances of reaching the knockout rounds in the Champions League. Liverpool FC, on the other hand, is already almost certain to reach the round of 16.
The Reds managed to win 1-0 (0-0) at FC Girona on Tuesday – their sixth win in their sixth game – and can now no longer be pushed out of a place in the play-offs. Even direct qualification for the round of 16 is likely.
The Royals from Madrid won 3-2 (1-1) at Atalanta Bergamo and have nine points after six games. As of today, that would be enough for the intermediate round before the round of 16. PSG won 3-0 (1-0) at RB Salzburg and now has seven points.
Mbappé scores and is substituted
Kylian Mbappé scored for Real in the 10th minute, but the star player was substituted with an injury in the 36th minute. Charles De Ketelaere (45.+2) managed to equalize shortly before the half-time whistle with a penalty kick. After the break, Vinícius Júnior (56′) and Jude Bellingham (59′) gave Real a comfortable lead before Ademola Lookman (65′) made the game exciting again with his goal.
In Salzburg, Goncalo Ramos (30th), Nuno Mendes (72nd) and Désiré Doué (85th) scored for Paris, which, like Real, had had a bad start to the premier class season. The first eight in the table qualify directly for the round of 16, the clubs in places 9 to 24 first play an intermediate knockout round.
Liverpool almost in the round of 16, Girona almost out
Liverpool needed some help away from home. Star striker Mohamed Salah gave the Reds the lead with a penalty kick in the 63rd minute. Referee Benoît Bastien gave the penalty based on video evidence. Girona only has a slim chance of at least reaching the second round. With three points, the Spaniards are currently in 30th place, which would not be enough to move into the knockout phase.
In the second early game of the evening, Dinamo Zagreb and Celtic Glasgow drew 0-0. Both teams are currently in midfield in the reformed Champions League and can hope to take part in the playoffs.