There were storylines across all 18 simultaneous kick-offs – not to mention 64 goals in total – but Aston Villa and Lille securing automatic qualification for the round of 16, as well as Manchester City coming from the elimination zone to reach the knockout phase play-offs, were among the headlines. UEFA.com rounds up all the action.

Motta's side had already secured their place in the knockout-phase play-offs going into matchday eight, but the loss in Turin saw them slip to 20th in the 36-team standings

The group stage of the UEFA Champions League officially came to a close on Wednesday and the standings are now final. Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal,

Juventus enter Champions League Matchday 8 with a spot in the next round locked up, but if they are going to make the top eight and earn a bye into the round of 16, a lot has to go their way for them to jump 11 spots.

Here's the state of play after the conclusion of the first stage of the Champions League: Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, Aston Villa. Monaco or Brest vs. Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica (for the right to play Liverpool or Barcelona)

To continue their path in this season's UEFA Champions League, Juventus will have to go through the Play-Offs, with their opponent to be confirmed on Friday at 12:00 CET (one of PSV or AC Milan). The

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U.S. men's national team forward Ricardo Pepi could miss up to three months with a knee injury, putting him at risk of missing the Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama in March. Pepi picked up the injury in PSV's 3-2 win over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday,

In today's USMNT rumors, West Ham are trying to sign Ricardo Pepi, mixed fortunes in action for AC Milan. and Weston McKennie captains Juventus.

Christian Pulisic is taking his game to new heights in the Champions League, so much so that the USMNT captain set a goalscoring record in the competition.

After a thrilling finish to the UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase, the competition will gear up to hold its inaugural knockout phase playoffs with Friday's draw. The teams that finished from ninth through 24th in the league phase will take part in the knockout phase playoffs,