2025–26 UCL league stage concludes: a recap of unforgettable moments

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League group stage has come to an end. With the final matches wrapped up, we have selected the most memorable moments of the season so far for you.

The Champions League title remains a major club honor that Kylian Mbappé is yet to conquer. This season, however, the French forward appears determined to put an end to that wait.

Mbappé has been in sensational form during the group stage, scoring an astonishing 13 goals across seven appearances.He has been averaging a goal every 48.46 minutes for Real Madrid, and is just 12 goals away from matching his total Champions League tally from the entire 2024–25 campaign — and it is not even February yet.

On current form, he could well be the best player in the world.

1. Youngster Karl steps in for Musiala, seizes chance and shines

If there is any positive to take from Musiala’s serious injury at last summer’s Club World Cup, it is that his absence opened the door for Bayern’s young talent Lennart Karl.

The 17-year-old prodigy did not waste his opportunity, registering three goals and one assist in five Champions League starts. Another wonderkid of German football, his future looks extremely bright.

2. Arsenal make history with perfect record, seal flawless qualification

There is no doubt about it.

Arsenal cruised through the group stage and became the first team to advance with a 100% winning record under the new competition format.

Their campaign included a dominant 4–0 home victory over Atlético Madrid, while a convincing win against Bayern Munich further cemented their status as title contenders.

Mikel Arteta’s side conceded just four goals in eight matches, and their away triumph over Inter Milan proved they possess the quality to perform strongly on foreign soil.

3. Juventus and Dortmund serve up eight-goal thriller

A genuine classic unfolded in Turin on the opening matchday of the group stage, as Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a dramatic 4–4 draw.

The Bianconeri found themselves two goals behind in stoppage time, with defeat looking inevitable. Yet they fought back to salvage a point with two late goals, including a last-gasp equalizer from Lloyd Kelly.

Incredibly, the first half was quiet and uneventful, while the second half exploded into life.

4. Van de Ven storms through for a solo wonder goal

It is hard to find another central defender in world football capable of scoring goals like this.

Once Micky van de Ven gets his tall frame going forward, he is like a steam train.

Against Copenhagen, he took the game into his own hands and produced a stunning solo display to find the net.

5. Bodo/Glimt pull off Arctic upset, stun Manchester City

Bodo/Glimt pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Champions League history: the Norwegian side stunned Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City with a 3–1 victory on an artificial pitch inside the Arctic Circle.

Kasper Høgh scored twice to help the Champions League debutants inflict a heavy defeat on the Citizens.

In sub-zero temperatures, Bodo/Glimt were in ruthless form, with Jens Petter Hauge wrapping up an unforgettable night with a brilliant individual goal.

This victory marked Bodo/Glimt’s first ever win in the Champions League group stage, providing a huge confidence boost to Kjetil Knutsen’s side and serving as a crucial springboard for their away win over Atlético Madrid on the final matchday to reach the play-offs.

6. Goalkeeper Trubin’s dramatic late header sends Lisbon wild

Few moments are more dramatic than a goalkeeper scoring.

Shot-stoppers only venture forward in desperate, high-stakes situations, so whenever a goalkeeper finds the net, you know the goal is of vital importance.

Anatoliy Trubin became the fifth goalkeeper in Champions League history to score, with his 98th-minute header sending Benfica into the play-offs.

In the final seconds of stoppage time, the Portuguese side needed another goal to keep their hopes alive — and the most unlikely hero stepped forward.

Trubin’s powerful header ensured that José Mourinho’s team can continue their European journey.