The group stage at the UEFA Champions League officially came to a close on Wednesday and the standings are now final. Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal,

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.

Manchester City nearly crashed out, but came from behind in the second half, and in the end, all European giants reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League.

With all 36 teams in action on Wednesday and sky-high stakes for some of Europe's leading clubs, the final first round matchday of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season didn't disappoint.

We use our Champions League projections to work out where the drama will be located on the final night of the league stage

It's going to be a wild day of soccer as Wednesday will see 18 Champions League matches kick off simultaneously. As the league phase comes to an end, all of those matches, except two, will have a direct impact on who makes it into the playoff stage and who is on the outside looking in.

Another absorbing "Battle of Britain" is in store today in the UEFA Champions League, between Aston Villa of the English Premier League and Scottish champions Celtic. Both sides need a win to boost their hopes of automatic qualification for the last 16.

Celtic will complete the league phase of their UEFA Champions League campaign tonight (Wednesday) when they take on Aston Villa in Birmingham. The Hoops have already qualified for the knockout