Kick Off: Champions League knockout qualifiers confirmed after an epic night !

Welcome to All Football's Kick Off, we bring you all important news in the past 24 hours. Make sure you do not miss out.

Top Headlines

To UCL KnockOut: RM dropped out of the top 8; Barca, City, Sporting CP advanced

The league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League concluded, with all qualification outcomes officially confirmed.

Miracle! GK Trubin's goal helps Benfica squeeze out Marseille in the last second

In the final round of the Champions League, Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2. Benfica goalkeeper Trubin scored a last-minute goal in the 98th minute, helping Benfica rise from 25th to 24th and keeping their hopes alive!

Match Reports

Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid: GK Trubin nets 98’ epic goal, both teams go to play off

Real Madrid will be forced to go through the play-offs in UCL after a 4-2 defeat at SL Benfica saw them drop to ninth in the league phase, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th-minute winner seeing the Portuguese outfit clinch 24th place in the league phase standings.

Barcelona 4-1 Copenhagen: Blast in 2nd half, four goals lift the team to Top 8

Game is over and the final score is Barcelona 4-1 Copenhagen. Altohugh conceding one goal in the first half, Barca returns with full power, Lewandowski, Yamal, Raphinha and Rashford scored and seal the victory.

Napoli 2-3 Chelsea: João Pedro sends Scudetto holders crashing out of UCL

Napoli crashed out of the Champions League as Joao Pedro inspired Chelsea to a 3-2 comeback victory at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

PSG 1-1 Newcastle: Neither team can qualify directly for the next round

Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain both missed out on the Champions League top eight following a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes.

Dortmund 0-2 Inter: The Nerazzurri end in No.10 with Dimarco's brilliant goal

Game is over and the final score is Dortmund 0-2 Inter. Here is the match report.

Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag FK: A huge 6-goal win keeps the Reds in the top 3

Game is over and the final score is Liverpool 60 Qarabag FK. Here is the match report.

PSV 1-2 Bayern: Musiala and Kane score, Karl provides assist

Game is over and the final score is PSV 1-2 Bayern. Musiala and Kane score, Karl provides assist.

Monaco 0-0 Juventus: Both advanced to the playoffs, Balogun's goal disallowed

Game is over and the final score is Monaco 0-0 Juventus. Both advanced to the playoffs, Balogun's goal disallowed.

Arsenal 3-2 Kairat Almaty: Gunners complete perfect league stage, Havertz nets

Arsenal claimed a club record extending eighth consecutive European victory after a 3-2 victory over Kairat Almaty in UCL, ending the league phase with a 100% record. 

Man City 2-0 Galatasaray: City win the ticket straight to R16 at home

Game is over and the final score is Man City 2-0 Galatasaray. Here is the match report.

Atletico 1-2 Bodo Glimt:Sorloth goal cannot hide Atletico's akward attack

Fredrik Sjovold and Kasper Hogh were on target as Bodo/Glimt earned a famous 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano to book a spot in the Champions League play-off round.

Athletic Club 2-3 Sporting CP: Santos' goal helped club's direct qualification

Game is over and the final score is Athletic Club 2-3 Sporting CP. Santos' goal helped club's direct qualification.

Frankfurt 0-2 Tottenham: Solanke & Muani bring TOT a steady 4th place from away

Under-pressure Tottenham boss Thomas Frank led his team to the last 16 of the Champions League following a huge 2-0 victory away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday. 

Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Atalanta: Khalaili's volley seal the victory for home

Game is over and the final score is Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Atalanta. Khalaili's brilliant volley breaks Sportiello's gate.

These Things Happen

UCL knockout play-offs: RM could face Benfica again, with Man City awaiting

The league phase of the UEFA Champions League has concluded in full, and the knockout stage draw has been confirmed. Real Madrid, who suffered a 2-4 defeat to Benfica, have been placed in the same pot as Benfica for the play-off ties, with Norway’s Bodo/Glimt as their other potential opponent.

Lewandowski scored against 40 rival temas in UCL, equaling Messi's record

Robert Lewandowski jots down another record on his accomplishment book: he scored against 40 teams in his career UCL campaign. This number equals former Barca legend Lionel Messi's achievement.

OFFICIAL: Raheem Sterling has departed Chelsea by mutual agreement

Raheem Sterling has departed Chelsea by mutual agreement after three-and-a-half seasons, having signed in the summer of 2022 when he was transferred from Manchester City.

OFFICIAL: Douglas Luiz joins Aston Villa on loan from Juventus

On 28 January, Aston Villa officially announced the signing of Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus.

Here we go! Romano: Oscar Bobb joins Fulham from Manchester City

On 28 January, according to Romano, Oscar Bobb joins Fulham from Manchester City.

Here we go! Romano: River Plate agree deal to sign Páez on loan from Chelsea

According to Fabrizio Romano, River Plate agree deal to sign Kendry Páez on loan from Chelsea.

Here we go! Romano: Paquetá joins Flamengo and signs a five-year contract

On 28 January, according to Romano, Paquetá joins Flamengo and signs a five-year contract.

FIFA 2025 Transfer Report: Total $13.08B, Isak's move is the most expensive

On January 28, FIFA released its global transfer report for the entire year of 2025, which showed that there were a total of 24,558 transfers in 2025, with total transfer fee expenditures reaching $13.08 billion.

BIG FIVE Premier League clubs learn potential Champions League last-16 opponents

England's Champions League clubs have learned their potential last 16 opponents after five of them finished in the top eight to automatically qualify.

Opta: No team has won more than half of their EPL games since Christmas

According to Opta statistics, no Premier League team has a league win rate exceeding 50% after Christmas.

Brugge congratulate Marseille's qualification, but l'OM eliminated at the death

Club Brugge displayed a message on the stadium’s big screen specifically congratulating Marseille on qualifying for the Champions League knockout play‑offs, only for the French side to suffer a shock elimination moments later.

What They Say

Mourinho: I’ve seen it all, but never a goal by a keeper even top strikers envy

Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 on Matchday 8 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. After the match, Benfica head coach José Mourinho attended the post-match press conference.

Flick: Premier League is the best; 70 wins in 93 games at Barça not enough

After securing a resounding 4-1 home victory over Copenhagen, Barcelona safely advanced to the top eight of the UEFA Champions League. Head coach Hansi Flick expressed his satisfaction with his side’s second-half performance in post-match comments.

Arbeloa: No excuses for defeat, plenty to improve

Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 away defeat to Benfica on Matchday 8 of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Following the match, Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to Mexican media outlet TUDN.

Goretzka: If Bayern treat me like they treated Müller, I would be disappointed

Leon Goretzka talks about his chance at Bayern and his future.

Valverde: Benfica played well; no single player to blame for defeat

Following the game, Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde spoke to Sport TV in the flash interview zone.

'I regret how I joined Chelsea – my record-breaking transfer was a mistake'

Romelu Lukaku admitted he regretted returning to Chelsea in 2021 and should never have left Italy. Now, the veteran striker is back to face the Blues with Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Martin Odegaard chat emerges as midfielder ‘open’ to permanent exit

Arsenal have plenty to consider in the final days of the January transfer window. The Gunners will be eager for Mikel Arteta to have the strongest squad possible as the club targets multiple trophies this season.

Fixtures of Today

Saudi PL

Al Fateh VS Al-Ittihad Club  2026/01/29  15:00UTC

Al-Qadisiya VS Al Hilal  2026/01/29  17:30UTC

Europa League

Lille VS Freiburg  2026/01/29  20:00UTC

Olympique Lyonnais VS PAOK  2026/01/29  20:00UTC

Porto VS Glasgow Rangers  2026/01/29  20:00UTC

Real Betis VS Feyenoord  2026/01/29  20:00UTC

Panathinaikos VS Roma  2026/01/29  20:00UTC

Aston Villa VS Salzburg  2026/01/29  20:00UTC