The first leg of the round of 16 of this season’s UEFA Champions League lived-up to its billing as 17 goals were scored across four matches.
The biggest winners were Arsenal, who went saw and humiliated PSV Eindhoven 7-1. They scored three goals in the first half and scored four in the second half to confirm their place in the quarter-final even before the second leg.
Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard scored a brace and emerged the man of the match.
Arsenal will face either of the Madrid clubs in the quarter-final.
The Madrid clubs – Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were in action and Real Madrid won 2-1.
Rodrygo opened scoring for the most successful club in the Champions League, in the fourth minute. Former Manchester City striker, Julian Alvares restored parity two minutes after the half hour mark. But another former City player, Brahim Diaz gave Real an important victory ahead of the second leg next mid-week.
Aston Villa put themselves in good position to qualify for the last eight when they defeated Club Brugge 3-1. Leon Bailey put the visitors in front just after three minutes. The home side restored parity eight minutes later through Maxim de Cuyper. After the break, Villa scored two goals to have a two goal’s advantage ahead of the second leg.
The winner of this encounter will face the winner between Liverpool and PSG, who play their first leg this Wednesday.
The encounter between Borussia Dortmund and Lille ended 1-1. Karim Adeyemi gave the home side the lead in the 22nd minute, but the visitors restored parity through Hakon Haraldsson in the 68th minute. There is all to play for in the second leg of this encounter. Lille will be fighting for their first Champions League quarter-final ticket when they host Dortmund in the second leg next Wednesday.
