Champions League Finale: Live Coverage of Decisive Matchday Eight

Welcome to our live, goal-by-goal coverage of matchday eight in the Champions League, where the league phase reaches its thrilling conclusion. Tonight, all 36 teams are in action simultaneously, creating a unique spectacle that has every football fan across the globe uttering the phrase "as it stands" with bated breath.

Understanding the New Swiss Model Format

This marks the second season of the Champions League's innovative Swiss model, and we're still acclimating to the distinctive chaos of this final round. For those new to the format, here's a straightforward breakdown. The top eight teams secure direct passage to the round of 16, while those finishing between ninth and 24th enter a playoff round, with the draw scheduled for Friday. Teams are placed into specific brackets based on their standings; for instance, under current positions, Manchester City in 11th and Atletico Madrid in 12th would face off against either Monaco in 21st or PSV Eindhoven in 22nd. The victors of these ties would then challenge teams like Spurs in fifth or Paris Saint-Germain in sixth in the last 16. Unfortunately, teams ranking from 25th to 36th receive nothing—no Conference League safety net, just an early exit.

English Teams in the Spotlight

Manchester City stands as the sole English team outside the top eight heading into tonight's fixtures, but the table remains incredibly tight, with merely two points separating Real Madrid in third from Atalanta in 13th. Arsenal and Bayern Munich have already clinched their spots in the last 16, leaving the rest with crucial work to do to secure their positions.

We aim to monitor all 18 matches, though neurological and physical limitations might restrict our coverage. Therefore, our primary focus will be on the six English teams involved. Below is the complete fixture list, with all games kicking off at 8pm GMT.