With the greatest respect to events 24 hours earlier, this was the Champions League night which had really grabbed my attention – the night when the big boys came out to play!
Of course, Tuesday night’s offering had been compelling viewing for a variety of reasons.
The way my tip to win this year’s tournament, Bayern Munich, comprehensively dissected Italy’s sole remaining representative, Atalanta, on their own turf.
The fact the Turks of Galatasaray were able to inflict a second 1-0 defeat of Liverpool on home soil this term.
The late drama on Tyneside when Newcastle were seconds away from victory over Spanish champions Barcelona only for the out-of-sorts Catalans to rescue a draw.
And I’ve not even mentioned an interim Spurs coach in Igor Tudor who already looks on the ropes.
But this was the night which really caught my eye.
Two last-16 blockbusters involving four sides: one which has been the dominant force in European football history and three others whose respective takeovers by billionaires over the past few decades has led to life-changing moments.
The holders Paris St Germain against Chelsea was the ‘new money’ clash, a clash between the European champions and the world champions.
In truth, PSG hold both titles, but in what was a repeat of the final in last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup, some Chelsea fans will argue they are actually the world champions.
The outcome of that Stateside meeting last summer would also likely have led to some additional spice in Paris.
And then there was an even bigger one.
Few Champions League games have been bigger or more thrilling in recent years than clashes between the mighty Real Madrid (the dominant force in European football history) and Manchester City (the club built on new money and my, haven’t they spent it well).
Here they were, meeting in the knockout stages for the fifth successive season as City boss Pep Guardiola took charge of his 190th Champions League match, equalling the record of the great Sir Alex Ferguson (trailing only Carlo Ancelotti – 218 – on the list of most Champions League games by managers).
In truth, though, this was a night for Guardiola to forget at the home of his former arch rivals.
Whatever the current difficulties Real are experiencing – and my word they have a rookie manager and injuries galore – they always seem to raise the bar in this competition.
They did so again to leave City on the brink of an exit at their hands for the third year in a row.
If the manner of the scoreline was a surprise to many, the unlikely hero was even more so: step forward Federico Valverde with a first half-hat-trick.
City had started well but once the Uruguayan opened the scoring, he was on fire.
He produced a top class finish following an assist from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and went onto net a treble inside 22 minutes.
A low finish followed seven minutes later before he completed his hat-trick three minutes before the break, lifting the ball over his marker and rifling in a superb volley.
The tie would have definitely been over had Gianluigi Donnarumma not denied Vinicius Jr from the penalty spot but, even now, it seems a big ask for City to turn this around.
At the same time, Chelsea went toe-to-toe for so long with the Parisiens but, ultimately, the extra quality shone through as PSG ran out 5-2 winners.
Two goals in the closing stages from substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made the scoreline one-sided and, realistically, leaves the west Londoners with too much to do.
Twice they came from behind and, with 16 minutes remaining, were level in the French capital at 2-2.
Then a wayward pass from goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen allowed the Euro champs to lead a third time as Vitinha lobbed the out of position Danish custodian.
Kvaratskhelia’s late Champions League 2026 highlights, the first a world class strike from the edge of the box, showed just why they are top dogs.
Elsewhere, the Norwegian minnows of Bodo/Glimt who, only a matter of weeks ago, stunned Europe and Guardiola’s men in one of the biggest ever upsets in European football history, have one foot in the quarter-finals.
Based in Bodo, a ground situated in a fishing village with a capacity of just over 8,000, they were too strong for Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon.
Goals from Sondre Fet (penalty), Ole Blomberg and Kasper Hogh did the damage and it all means Bodo have become only the fifth team outside Europe’s top five leagues to record five straight Champions League wins in the 21st century.
All this from a team which failed to win any of their first six group games!
Arsenal are among the overall tournament favourites with the SBOTOP 2026 Champions League betting odds and a late Kai Havertz penalty, on his return to Germany and his former club, earned them a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen – a result which makes them firm favourites ahead of next week’s second leg.
Home captain Robert Andrich had headed Leverkusen in front at the start of the second half.
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