On March 12, 2025, the UEFA Champions League showcased thrilling knockout stage action as teams fought for advancement to the quarter-finals. The day was marked by mixed fortunes for various clubs, including Feyenoord, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Barcelona, as they clashed with their opponents.
Feyenoord faced Inter Milan, hoping to overturn a 0-2 deficit from the first leg. Unfortunately, the team struggled, losing 1-2 on the day and 1-4 on aggregate. The match had its drama: just eight minutes after kickoff, Marcus Thuram found the net for Inter, putting Feyenoord on the back foot. Though they managed to equalize just before halftime through a penalty, Hakan Calhanoglu sealed their fate with another penalty early in the second half. Ayase Ueda, who started the match, played until the 18th minute of the second half but could not contribute to turning the tide for Feyenoord.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich continued their strong performance this season by defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0, progressing with a comfortable aggregate score of 5-0. Hiroki Ito made his presence felt, coming onto the pitch from the 24th minute of the second half, reinforcing Bayern’s attack. This victory marks their sixth consecutive season battling it out among Europe’s elite eight teams.
Liverpool's clash with Paris Saint-Germain proved to be equally intense but ended on a sour note for the English side. Having edged past PSG 1-0 in the first leg, hopes were high, but the match turned bleak when Usman Dembele scored for PSG just 12 minutes in, equalizing the aggregate score at 1-1. The game lingered at this score, leading to penalties, where Liverpool fell short, with two players failing to convert their shots, resulting in a disheartening 1-4 loss during the shootout. Wataru Endo took to the field from the 6th minute of the second half of extra time, but his efforts couldn’t salvage the match for Liverpool.
Barcelona, on the other hand, bolstered their claim as tournament favorites with a convincing victory against Benfica. The Spanish giants won 3-1 at home, ensuring their spot in the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate score. Rafinha stole the show with two goals, asserting his dominance as the tournament's leading scorer with 11 goals this season.
The matches highlighted the fierce competition inherent to the UEFA Champions League, where individual brilliance often makes the difference. The recent games not only showcased the skill of well-established players but also underscored the stakes involved as clubs vie for continental glory.
Looking forward, the UEFA Champions League schedule remains packed with thrilling encounters. Tomorrow, on March 13, 2025, four more matches are set to take place, including confrontations between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund and Atlético Madrid against their city rivals, Real Madrid. Fans around the world eagerly anticipate whether these clubs can match the high-intensity performances displayed today.