The Champions League last-16 has drawn to a close with the final round of second-leg matches.
The biggest tie of the week saw Atletico Madrid snatch a 1-0 win over Man United at Old Trafford, to advance to the quarterfinals 2-1 on aggregate.
Photo via Getty Images
It means the Red Devils have now gone five straight seasons without a trophy.
They were also knocked out early from the EFL Cup and FA Cup, and the best they can possibly manage in the EPL this season is fourth.
Holder’s title defence going strong
Elsewhere, Chelsea recorded a 2-1 win away to Lille, to book a place in the quarters with a 4-1 aggregate score line.
Photo via Reuters
The Blues were leading 2-0 from the first leg, and while they were momentarily shaken by a Lille penalty in the first half, they responded through Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta to seal the win.
The victory in France was also a bit of a personal milestone for Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel.
It was his 32nd career win in the Champions League, equalling the record for the most wins in the tournament inside 50 matches.
Upset in Amsterdam
Ajax must have fancied their chances against Benfica for the return leg in Amsterdam, with the tie level at 2-2 from the first encounter.
Photo via AP
But there was nothing the Dutch giants could do against the Portuguese side’s tight and resolute defence.
In the end, it was Benfica’s Darwin Nunez who struck the winner with 13 minutes to go for a 3-2 aggregate victory, in what some may consider a bit of an upset result.
Villarreal’s Italian Job
There was also another shock in Turin, where visitors Villarreal netted three late goals to come away 3-0 winners over Juventus. They advance 4-1 on aggregate.
The ‘Yellow Submarine’ are in the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since 2009, and for only the third time in their history.
Photo via Reuters
As for Juve…they’ve now been eliminated in the last-16 for a third successive year.
The lineup is complete
With that…we now have the final eight competitors for the Champions League quarterfinals.
Atletico, Chelsea, Benfica and Villarreal join last week’s winners Real Madrid, Liverpool, Man City and Bayern Munich.
The draw for the quarters and semis will take place on Friday (March 18th).
The draws are also ‘open’…meaning any team can be drawn together, regardless of their country of origin or previous fixtures this season.
You can catch LIVE coverage of this season’s Champions League on Astro!
By: Nicholas Darren John
