Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker. Bayern Munich, Benfica, Club Brugge, and Feyenoord all advanced on Tuesday to the UEFA Champions League round of 16, with the final four spots to be determined on Wednesday.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Tuesday’s four decisive knockout phase playoff second legs.
Hernández’s silly red card dooms AC Milan
The seven-time European champions faced a tough battle against Dutch club Feyenoord, ultimately settling for a 1-1 tie on Tuesday after French defender Theo Hernández received a red card early in the second half. Milan, featuring U.S. men’s national team stars Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah, had lost the first leg of the two-match series 1-0 in the Netherlands. With a 2-1 win on aggregate, Feyenoord moved on to the round of 16.
Initially, the Rossoneri were in control at San Siro when Pulisic assisted Mexican forward Santiago Giménez, giving Milan a 1-0 lead less than a minute into the match. However, Argentine striker Julián Carranza, who joined Feyenoord from the Philadelphia Union last summer, equalized just 22 minutes after Hernández’s dismissal reduced Milan to 10 players.
For the first 51 minutes, AC Milan dominated the game, but Hernández’s second yellow card for diving changed the momentum. Despite a late push for a goal to force extra time, the hosts were unable to find the net.
This outcome marks a disappointing end to Milan’s Champions League journey, as they were favored to advance. They will now miss the round of 16 for the second consecutive year and the ninth time in the last decade.
Conversely, Feyenoord can celebrate a significant achievement, returning to the last 16 of the prestigious tournament for the first time since the 1993-94 season. They will face either Arsenal or Inter Milan next.
Heartbreak for Celtic as Bayern Munich snares late winner
Celtic appeared poised for a 1-0 victory, thanks to German winger Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn, which would have sent the match into extra time tied 2-2 on aggregate. However, Bayern Munich snatched a late winner, cruelly ending Celtic’s Champions League campaign.
Despite the heartbreak, the Scottish champions can take pride in their performance, having challenged a top contender throughout the two legs. Players like Carter-Vickers and Trusty likely improved their chances of being selected for the U.S. men’s national team roster for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Panama.
Meanwhile, Bayern will prepare to meet either Atlético Madrid or Bundesliga rival Bayer Leverkusen in the next round.
Benfica and Club Brugge finish the job
Club Brugge’s surprising 2-1 victory over Atalanta in the first leg set the stage for a tense second match. The Italian side needed an early goal to regain control, but it was Brugge that struck first.
Chemsdine Talbi scored early, stunning the fans at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Bergamo. He added another goal midway through the first half, followed by Ferran Jutglà’s powerful shot just before halftime, making it 3-0.
Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman managed to pull one back after the break, but a crucial penalty save by former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet ensured that Atalanta could not close the gap further. Club Brugge will now face either Aston Villa or Lille in the next round.
In Portugal, Benfica faced Monaco, who fought back from two one-goal deficits to level the aggregate score through an 81st-minute goal by Nigerian substitute George Ilenikhena. However, Benfica’s Orkun Kökçü responded quickly, securing their place in the tournament’s later stages.
The Eagles will encounter a tougher challenge next, against either five-time winner Barcelona or top-seeded Liverpool.
The full draw for the round of 16 will be revealed on Friday.
