Champions League: 12 Clubs knocked out as group phase ends

Twelve clubs have been officially eliminated from this season’s UEFA Champions League following the conclusion of the group phase on Wednesday night, bringing an end to their European campaigns for the season.

The teams confirmed to have exited the competition are Kairat Almaty, Villarreal, Slavia Prague, Eintracht Frankfurt, Ajax, Copenhagen, Napoli, Athletic Club, PSV, Marseille, Pafos and Union Saint-Gilloise.

These clubs finished between 25th and 36th on the overall standings, placing them outside the qualification positions for both the automatic last-16 spots and the knockout play-off round.

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Marseille’s exit was particularly dramatic, as the French side narrowly missed out on progression after Benfica scored a late goal in their 4–2 victory over Real Madrid. The result proved decisive, pushing Marseille below the qualification threshold at the final hurdle.

Under the revised Champions League format, teams eliminated at this stage no longer drop into the UEFA Europa League or any other European competition. As a result, all 12 clubs will play no further part in continental football this season.

With the group phase now concluded, attention shifts to the knockout play-offs and the round of 16, as the remaining teams continue their quest for European glory.