Champions League group stage matchday 5 again proved that the UCL is the most exciting annual soccer tournament.
The knock-out stages are beginning to form as powerhouses like Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Man City, PSG, and Benfica punch their tickets.
But while some giants prepare for the next stage, others are bowing out disgracefully – Barca suffered another embarrassing 3-0 loss to Bayern (at home), Juventus failed to live up to expectations, and Ajax wasn’t able to keep up their hot start.
Atletico Madrid is out of Group B after failing to convert a game-winning penalty in stoppage time.
This might be Diego Simeone’s last year in the Spanish capital. Atleti should have won this group, but Belgian side Club Brugge and Portuguese team Porto have caught everyone by surprise, blowing most of their opponents out of the water. Atletico had to win yesterday to keep their hopes alive… And, well, as you can see above, they were given ample opportunity, and simply failed to convert. Now, the unreal Madrid team will join fellow bounced LaLiga squads Sevilla and Barcelona in the Europa League.
Madrid wasn’t the only European capital with a mad finale – look at what happened in London.
Group D is still up for grabs heading into next week’s matchday 6 after the Spurs were stunned by VAR at home against Sporting CP. The end of this game is absolute chaos – Kane with the goal, the crowd with the raucous celebration, the despair on Sporting’s faces, the multi-minute decision, the inevitable Antonio Conte red card… This game should’ve been on TNT because they know drama. All eyes should be on Group D next week as Marseille, Tottenham, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Sporting CP can all still win the group by winning on the last match day.
One final clip – just enjoy this Rafa Silva golazo.
Benfica is killing it this season, and we are here for it. Look at the flare – so much fun! Club Brugge, Porto, Napoli, Sporting CP, and Benfica are the dark horse heroes of this year’s UCL, but do anything of them have what it takes to go all the way?
That’s why we love the Champions League.
Featured Image: Generated Image: DALL-E 2/UEFAChampionsLeague/DM
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