Epic Nights: Atalanta, Galatasaray, PSG, and Real Madrid Punch Round of 16 Tickets in Thrilling Second Legs, Relive Champions League playoff thrills: Atalanta's stoppage-time penalty vs Dortmund, Osimhen sinks Juventus, PSG edges Monaco, Madrid beats Benfica. Full match reports, goals, tactics!

Atalanta 4-1 Borussia Dortmund: Last-Gasp Drama Seals Italian Survival

Atalanta pulled off a stunning comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 playoff second leg, winning 4-1 (4-3 agg) thanks to a penalty in the 8th minute of stoppage time. Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the 5th minute with a close-range finish, followed by Davide Zappacosta's deflected shot before halftime to make it 2-0. Mario Pasalic headed the third in the 57th minute, but Karim Adeyemi pulled one back for Dortmund.

The turning point came deep into added time when Ramy Bensebaini fouled Nikola Krstovic, earning a second yellow after VAR review, and Lazar Samardzic slotted home the decisive penalty—the second-latest goal in Champions League history. 

Standout performers included Scamacca for his clinical finishing and Zappacosta for his assist and goal; Dortmund's Gregor Kobel made key saves but erred late.

Tactically, Atalanta's 3-4-2-1 pressed high to overturn the 2-0 deficit, with wing-backs exploiting flanks, while Dortmund sat deeper but crumbled under pressure. Coach Raffaele Palladino called it "an unforgettable night, a dream come true," while Zappacosta said, "We never give up." Fans erupted in Bergamo's Gewiss Stadium, with joyous scenes preserving Italy's knockout streak since 2003-04.

This Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund match report highlights their resilience, advancing them to face Arsenal or Bayern Munich.

Juventus 3-2 Galatasaray (AET): Osimhen's Extra-Time Heroics Crush Bianconeri Hopes

Galatasaray advanced 7-5 on aggregate despite a valiant 3-2 extra-time loss to Juventus in the Champions League 2025/26 playoff, holding off a fierce comeback from the 10-man hosts. Manuel Locatelli's first-half penalty gave Juventus hope after trailing 5-2 from the first leg, followed by Federico Gatti's far-post finish in the 70th and another goal to level.

Lloyd Kelly's red card in the 48th minute shifted momentum, but Victor Osimhen's extra-time strike and Baris Yilmaz's clincher sealed Galatasaray's progression. Osimhen shone with his decisive goal, while Gatti's brace defined Juventus' fightback; Dusan Vlahovic created chances but faded.

Juventus pushed in a 3-5-2, dominating possession post-red card, but Galatasaray countered lethally in extra time. Juventus' site praised their "brave performance," but elimination stings. Turin fans were passionate at Allianz Stadium, though heartbreak prevailed as Galatasaray fans celebrated wildly.

The Juventus vs Galatasaray clash in Champions League 2025/26 showcased Turkish grit, boosting their season.

Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 AS Monaco: Parisians Edge Through on Aggregate

Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-2 with Monaco to advance 5-4 on aggregate in the Champions League 2025/26 playoff second leg, surviving a late fightback. Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored for PSG, but Jordan Teze equalized in stoppage time after Mamadou Coulibaly's red card hampered Monaco.

Key moments included PSG's dominance with 21 shots and 37 box touches, but Monaco's defense, led by Kohn's saves and Wout Faes' blocks, kept them alive until Teze's react finish. Kvaratskhelia dazzled with his goal and creativity; Monaco's Teze was the late hero.

PSG's attacking 4-3-3 overwhelmed, though Monaco's resilience nearly forced extra time. Post-match, PSG's progression was confirmed amid tension. Parc des Princes buzzed with nerves turning to relief for home fans. This PSG vs Monaco performance in Champions League 2025/26 underscores their knockout pedigree.

Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica: Valverde Assists Seal Smooth Advance

Real Madrid defeated Benfica 2-1 (3-1 agg) in the Champions League 2025/26 playoff second leg, with goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Junior, both assisted by Federico Valverde. After a 1-0 first-leg win, Madrid controlled proceedings at the Bernabeu.

Turning points were Valverde's precise assists, exploiting Benfica's defense; Vinicius dazzled with pace. Tchouameni anchored midfield, while Valverde's vision shone.

Madrid's fluid 4-3-3 adapted seamlessly, pressing high to nullify threats. Club statements hailed entry to the round of 16. Santiago Bernabeu faithful created electric atmosphere, chanting for Los Blancos. Real Madrid vs Benfica match report captures their efficiency in Champions League 2025/26.

Key Themes Across the Matches

These UEFA Champions League 2025/26 playoff ties delivered drama: late penalties, red cards, extra time, and comebacks defined the night on February 25, 2026. Standouts like Samardzic, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia, and Vinicius lit up proceedings, with tactics favoring high presses and counters.

Managers emphasized belief—Palladino's "dream come true," Juventus' bravery—while fans amplified stadium cauldrons from Bergamo to Turin. Atmospheres were feverish, with joyous invasions post-advances.

Implications for the Knockout Stages

Atalanta, Galatasaray, PSG, and Real Madrid join direct qualifiers like Arsenal and Bayern in the round of 16 draw on Friday. This bolsters Italian (Atalanta), Turkish, French, and Spanish representation, setting up mouthwatering clashes. Upsets like Galatasaray's signal open knockouts, with aggregate drama hinting at more twists ahead in Champions League 2025/26.

These results reshape paths: Atalanta eyes giants, Madrid builds momentum. Expect intensified battles as favorites face resilient underdogs.