Champions League: Newcastle, Atlético, Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt Book Round Of 16 Spots, Inter Out

It was a night of statements across Europe as four clubs booked their spots in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 in style earlier tonight, February 24.

At St James’ Park, Newcastle completed a commanding 9-3 aggregate win over Qarabag FK after another assured display in the Champions League second-leg play-off tie.

With a 6-1 advantage from the first leg in Baku, coach Eddie Howe rotated his side. Yet, they needed just four minutes to strike. Sandro Tonali tapped in after Mateusz Kochalski could only parry William Osula’s header. Moments later, Joelinton met Harvey Barnes’ cross with a crisp volley to double the lead.

Qarabag showed greater resolve than in the first leg. Camilo Duran pulled one back after the interval, and although Sven Botman restored Newcastle’s cushion, the visitors earned a penalty when Dan Burn handled the ball in the box. Aaron Ramsdale saved Marko Jankovic’s effort, but Elvin Cafarguliyev converted the rebound.

Newcastle now await either FC Barcelona or Chelsea FC in Friday’s draw.

Bodø/Glimt stun Inter in the Champions League playoff at San Siro

The shock of the Champions League play-off round came in Milan, where Bodø/Glimt knocked out Inter to reach the last 16 for the first time.

Back at San Siro, Jens Petter Hauge scored and assisted as the Norwegian champions followed up their 3-1 first-leg triumph with another fearless display. Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin frustrated Inter early on, denying Federico Dimarco and Davide Frattesi.

Hauge pounced in the 58th minute after Yann Sommer saved Ole Didrik Blomberg’s effort. Hakon Evjen added a second on the night before Alessandro Bastoni briefly gave Inter hope.

Instead, it was Bodø who celebrated a famous victory. They will meet either Manchester City or Sporting CP next.

At the BayArena, Leverkusen progressed comfortably after a goalless draw with Olympiakos FC sealed a 2-0 aggregate win.

Alejandro Grimaldo struck the crossbar in a dominant second-half display, but Patrik Schick’s brace in Greece ultimately proved decisive. The Bundesliga side will face either Arsenal FC or FC Bayern Munich.

In Madrid, Alexander Sorloth’s first Champions League hat-trick powered Atlético past Club Brugge KV.

Sorloth opened the scoring after latching onto Jan Oblak’s long pass, though Joel Ordonez levelled before the break. Johnny Cardoso restored Atlético’s aggregate advantage early in the second half, and Sorloth struck twice late on to secure progress.

Diego Simeone’s men now prepare for a last-16 tie against either Tottenham Hotspur FC or Liverpool FC.