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GOAL takes a look at how American soccer's stars fared on a chaotic final day of the group stage

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a remarkable 98th-minute goal to send Jose Mourinho's side into the Champions League playoffs after beating Real Madrid 4-2. The Portuguese giants were heading out of the competition on goal difference but the keeper's last-gasp effort sparked wild celebrations at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday. The result also meant nine-man Los Blancos face a two-legged playoff in February.

An improbable Anatoliy Trubin header in second-half stoppage time capped off a remarkable 4-2 win for Benfica over a listless Real Madrid on Wednesday. Los Blancos had no answers for the Portuguese side and were thoroughly beaten on the road, meaning Alvaro Arbeloa's side will now face a play-off to secure a place in the Champions League last-16.

Joe Willock's powerful header on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Vitinha's opener as nothing could separate Newcastle and Paris-Saint Germain in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday. The result suited neither side as the Premier League outfit and their French counterparts dropped out of the top eight and into the play-off round in the Champions League.

Erling Haaland remembered what it was like to score a non-penalty as Manchester City overcame Galatasaray 2-0 to make it into the last 16 of the Champions League, albeit only by a hair's breath. Haaland missed a clear chance but soon made amends by netting with an ice-cool dink in the first half, scoring for the first time in 10 matches from open play.

Kai Havertz marked his first start in almost a year with a goal and an assist as Arsenal made it eight wins from eight in the Champions League with a 3-2 success over Kairat Almaty to seal their spot as league phase winners. Havertz, whose last start came 357 days ago, showed the Gunners exactly what they had been missing when he set up Viktor Gyokeres for an early opener before adding a second himself with a fine run and finish after Jorginho had equalised for the visitors from the penalty spot.

Harry Kane went from zero to hero as his late goal ensured Bayern Munich beat PSV Eindhoven 2-1 to end their Champions League league phase campaign on a high. Jamal Musiala gave the visitors the lead in a breathless game at Philips Stadion before Kane's sloppy pass led to Ismael Saibari's long-range stunner. But the England captain righted his previous wrong with the winner to dump 10-man PSV out of the competition.

Joao Pedro scored two stunning goals as Chelsea beat Napoli 3-2 to seal their progress into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday. The striker netted one brilliant long-range strike, as well as a cool finish while one-on-one, to add to Enzo Fernandez's early penalty as the Blues won a topsy-turvy encounter against former boss Antonio Conte.

Liverpool may be struggling in the Premier League but they're a very different side in the Champions League, as they underlined on Wednesday by storming straight into the last 16 of the competition by hammering Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield. With the Reds' defensive injury crisis having worsened in Saturday's shocking defeat at Bournemouth, the last thing head coach Arne Slot needed was Jeremie Frimpong hobbling off with what looked like his third hamstring injury of the season after just two minutes of play on Merseyside.

Tottenham put their Premier League struggles to one side again as they beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 on Wednesday, booking their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League. Spurs are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle domestically but have secured an automatic place in the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition.

Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema has reportedly refused to play for Al-Ittihad ahead of their Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Fateh. The veteran striker is in his third season at the Jeddah outfit but it seems this could be his last following an apparent dispute with the club. The 38-year-old's contract expires in the summer - however, at this rate, the Frenchman could be leaving before then.

Jeremie Frimpong has suffered another setback, as he exited Liverpool's Champions League tie against Qarabag after just four minutes due to injury. The Dutch international appeared to sustain an issue with his groin, and was subsequently replaced by Wataru Endo. Arne Slot's side are already short at the back, thanks to the absences of Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate.

A vague 2026 release date for the long-awaited season four of the hit TV show Ted Lasso has been revealed. Ted Lasso first aired in August 2020 and has become a much-loved programme, going on to span three seasons. And while the show was expected to end following the last episode of series three in May 2023, the finale left fans wishing for more from the AFC Richmond coach.

Neal Maupay has gotten involved with some social media shenanigans with new club Sevilla, as he was pictured putting a colleague in a headlock over historic tweets that mocked him. The ex-Brighton man has joined the Spanish club on loan from Marseille until the end of the season. Sevilla's official X account had posted a joke at Maupay's expense during a pre-season friendly in August.

Aston Villa have announced the return of Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus for the rest of the season. The Brazil international swapped Villa for Juve in the summer of 2024 for £42 million ($58m), but the 27-year-old has endured a difficult 18 months since then. After failing to fire at the Italian side, his loan stint at Nottingham Forest hasn't worked either. Now, he is back with Unai Emery's side.

Wrexham have been backed to emulate Sunderland by former Black Cats striker Fraizer Campbell, should they secure promotion. The Red Dragons, financed by Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are looking to earn a historic fourth successive promotion and land a Premier League spot as they look to maintain their rise up the football ladder.

Arsenal thumped African Champions League holders AS FAR Rabat 6-0 in the semi-final of the inaugural Women's Champions Cup on Wednesday after a dominant performance that was capped by two goals from England striker Alessia Russo. The Gunners will now head into Sunday's final, at the Emirates Stadium, against Brazilian side Corinthians.

Manchester City wantaway Oscar Bobb is poised to complete a £27 million ($37m) move to Fulham. The Cottagers have agreed a fee with Pep Guardiola's side to sign the winger, who is now poised to complete his switch to west London.

Rats have been spotted at the newly-refurbished Camp Nou, just days after Barcelona's sparkling new stadium sprung leaks during the club's La Liga clash with Real Oviedo. A new viral video has shown rodents frolicking by the side of the new playing surface, just hours before they are scheduled to play Copenhagen in the Champions League.

Chelsea have confirmed that Raheem Sterling has left the club by "mutual agreement" as he seeks a new club in January. The Blues' misfit has finally departed Stamford Bridge, with his last competitive appearance for the club coming in May of 2024.

United States Women's National Team manager Emma Hayes joined Trinity Rodman in performing the viral "Sexy Dexy" dance after the star scored in a thumping win over Chile in midweek. The former Chelsea boss drew laughter from her squad after copying Rodman's moves.

Liverpool have been told to consider a stunning move to sign Harry Maguire from Manchester United this summer. The defender's current deal expires in the summer and United have yet to open talks over an extension, with Dietmar Hamann urging the Reds to weigh up what would be a sensational free transfer.

West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has finally reached an agreement to return to former club Flamengo. The Brazilian is due to move on a transfer that will see him become the most expensive player in Brazilian Serie A history and will sign a five-year contract with Flamengo. Paqueta is due to travel later today, meaning he's already played his last game for West Ham.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has been billed as a potential successor to Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United amid speculation he could be tempted to join the Red Devils after becoming homesick in London. Fernandes has also been tipped to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, with clubs in Saudi Arabia still believed to be keen on landing the Portugal international.

Gary McAllister believes Mohamed Salah is suffering from a "year of inconsistency" at Anfield, pinpointing the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold as the primary cause for the Egyptian's dip in form. However, the former Reds midfielder insists the 33-year-old still has plenty to offer at the highest level and has urged him to reject the overtures of the Saudi Pro League.

Ex-Arsenal star Kieran Gibbs has mounted a passionate defence of struggling striker Viktor Gyokeres, insisting it is far too early to write off the summer signing. The Swede has endured a difficult start to life at the Emirates, failing to score from open play in the Premier League since September, but Gibbs believes tactical adjustments are to blame rather than a lack of quality.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has opened up about the private conversations he held with Ethan Nwaneri prior to the youngster's temporary switch to Marseille. The Norwegian international, who experienced several loan spells during his own development at Real Madrid, believes the move to Ligue 1 is the ideal step for the Hale End graduate's career.

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard is reportedly closing in on a return to football in Serie A. The 33-year-old is a free agent after a stint in South Korea with FC Seoul, which came to an end in December 2025. Lingard is thought to have spoken to several Premier League clubs about a January transfer but now appears set to resume his career in the Italian top flight.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez reportedly held crunch personal talks with Jude Bellingham and four other stars to demand an immediate change in attitude following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso. The intervention from the Bernabeu chief is credited with sparking the club's recent revival under Alvaro Arbeloa, with key figures now accepting roles they previously complained about to save their season.