When Lille lost its opening Champions League match in September, only a few bold gamblers would have bet on the Ligue 1 side to qualify for the last 16 of European club soccer's elite tournament.

Manchester City snuck their way into the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds on Wednesday, avoiding elimination on a dramatic final day of the competition's first-ever league phase. Pep Guardiola's side entered halftime with a 1-0 deficit to Club Brugge but three goals after halftime ensured they would clinch a spot in the top 24 and participate in the knockout round playoffs with a 3-1 win.

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LONDON — Here's the state of play after the conclusion of the first stage of the Champions League: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa

Follow live text commentary, score updates and match stats from Lille vs Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League

The Sporting Lisbon striker scored again in a loss to Red Bull Leipzig. That’s six goals in seven matches. Whether he’s just in a zone or having a true late-career renaissance, the big Swede’s Champions League goals are sure to get him a big money move in this transfer window from clubs that could use his power and speed.

Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs, meaning that Celtic must take on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich.

Jan. 22, the two powerhouse clubs will collide in a match that could determine the trajectory of their Champions League campaigns.

The Champions League’s new look league phase reaches its conclusion with big names like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain in danger of early elimination.

What are the paths for the four Premier League clubs competing for a place in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final at the Allianz Arena in Munich?

Manchester City flirted with a disastrous exit from the Champions League before rallying to beat Club Brugge 3-1 in a must-win game

Manchester City will face Real Madrid in a blockbuster Champions League play-off tie, with Celtic taking on Bayern Munich for a place in the last-16. Premier League champions City scraped through by beating Club Brugge and,