The group stage of the 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League has concluded, and the teams that will advance to the knockout rounds are now confirmed. As always, Europe’s premier club competition has delivered thrilling football and dramatic results. Some of the continent’s biggest clubs secured their places in the Round of 16, while others were left disappointed, failing to progress.
Clubs That Qualified for the Knockout Stage
- Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich once again proved their strength, finishing first in Group A. The Bavarian club went unbeaten in the group stage, with dominant performances across their six matches. With a squad led by stars such as Harry Kane and Leroy Sané, Bayern is looking poised to go deep into the competition. - Manchester City
Manchester City, the defending champions, secured their place in the knockout stage by topping Group G. Pep Guardiola’s side, featuring key players like Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, showed their class and efficiency, making it clear they are determined to defend their title. - Real Madrid
Real Madrid continued their excellent European form, finishing top of Group F. The Spanish giants, with veterans like Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos, and Karim Benzema, are always a threat in the Champions League. Their vast experience in the competition makes them one of the favorites for the title. - Arsenal
Arsenal impressed in Group B, securing first place ahead of the competition. Mikel Arteta’s young squad, led by Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, showed maturity and resilience, with their attacking play catching the attention of many in Europe. Arsenal’s return to the knockout stages is a significant achievement for the club. - Barcelona
Barcelona secured second place in Group H after a challenging but successful group campaign. Despite some early-season struggles, the Catalan club showed their resilience, with key players like Robert Lewandowski and Pedri ensuring they qualified for the knockout rounds. - Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
PSG finished top of Group D, sealing their place in the Round of 16. The French side, boasting a star-studded attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé, demonstrated their quality throughout the group stage, despite some hiccups along the way. - Liverpool
Liverpool secured second place in Group E, qualifying for the knockout stages with solid performances. Jurgen Klopp’s side, led by Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, continues to be a formidable force in Europe, and their attacking football will make them a dangerous opponent in the next round. - Juventus
Juventus finished first in Group C, securing an impressive spot in the knockout phase. The Italian side, despite a challenging domestic season, showed their European pedigree, with players like Dusan Vlahovic and Ángel Di María leading the charge. - Chelsea
Chelsea had a strong showing in Group D, finishing second behind PSG. The London club, under the guidance of Mauricio Pochettino, made it through a tough group, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernández playing crucial roles in their qualification.
Clubs That Missed Out on the Knockout Stage
- Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen finished third in Group A, narrowly missing out on a place in the Round of 16. The German side performed admirably but ultimately fell short, dropping into the Europa League after an unfortunate loss in their final match. - Manchester United
Manchester United were eliminated from the competition after finishing third in Group F. Despite having a talented squad, Erik ten Hag’s side struggled for consistency and was unable to qualify for the knockout rounds, now focusing on the Europa League. - Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid failed to qualify after finishing third in Group E. Diego Simeone’s team had a mixed campaign, with their defensive solidity not enough to overcome stronger attacking sides, meaning they too will compete in the Europa League this season. - AC Milan
AC Milan were unable to progress to the knockout stage, finishing third in Group H. Despite having a rich European history, Milan couldn’t secure enough points in a tough group, leaving them out of the Round of 16 and relegated to the Europa League. - Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur, despite boasting key players like Harry Kane and Son Heung-min, were eliminated after finishing third in Group B. Their inconsistent form saw them miss out on a place in the knockout stage, and they too will now turn their attention to the Europa League. - RB Salzburg
Austrian side RB Salzburg finished third in Group G. Despite being competitive throughout the group stage, Salzburg could not manage to progress into the knockout rounds and will now compete in the Europa League for the remainder of the season. - Red Bull Leipzig
RB Leipzig finished third in Group F, falling short of qualification for the knockout phase. The German club showed glimpses of quality but could not maintain consistency throughout their matches, resulting in an early exit from the Champions League. - Rangers FC
Rangers, representing Scotland, had a disappointing group stage campaign and finished bottom of Group A. Their lack of depth and experience at this level was evident, and they failed to secure enough points to progress, ultimately being eliminated from the competition.
The 2024-2025 UEFA Champions League group stage has been full of excitement and drama, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs cruising into the knockout rounds while others fell short. Teams like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Real Madrid continue to showcase their dominance in the competition, while clubs such as Manchester United, AC Milan, and Atletico Madrid will now turn their attention to the Europa League. The knockout rounds promise to bring even more thrilling football as these elite teams battle it out for the prestigious European title.
