Champions League last 16 draw as Liverpool and Arsenal paths clearer | Football | Sport

February 26, 2026 4,757

The Champions League last-16 line-up has finally been completed after a dramatic week of play-off action. Eight teams – including five from the Premier League – had earned automatic qualification to the last-16 via their league phase performance, with a further eight having navigated the play-offs.

Newcastle were among those to have come through the play-offs unscathed, having put Qarabag to the sword across two legs. It’s the first time the Magpies have ever reached the last-16 of the Champions League, but their path to potential glory looks like being one of the most difficult for the remaining teams.

Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have all enjoyed a rare couple of weeks off, having taken care of their business in the league phase. And ahead of the draw later this week, Express Sport have detailed each and every last-16 side’s potential opponents.

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That isn’t the case anymore, as each top-eight opponent is set to be paired up with one of two play-off winners. That will also be the case for the quarter-finals and the semi-finals, with the brackets having already been partially decided.