It was an absorbing spherical of 16 within the Champions League with targets and controversy aplenty.
The ultimate tie to complete noticed defending champions Real Madrid squeeze past Atletico Madrid thanks largely to the VAR’s resolution to deem Julian Alvarez had kicked the ball twice when taking his penalty within the shoot-out.
Arsenal additionally progressed after hitting PSV Eindhoven for seven within the first leg whereas Barcelona, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are additionally by means of to the quarter-finals.
PSG tackle Aston Villa, Barca meet Borussia Dortmund, Actual Madrid play Arsenal and the tie of the spherical sees Bayern Munich face Italian champions Inter.
Right here, we glance again on the standout performers on this spherical and choose our greatest XI.
Goalkeeper
Alisson (Liverpool)
Can really feel unlucky to have exited the competitors, notably after his first-leg heroics on the Parc des Princes. The Brazil worldwide made 9 saves as Arne Slot’s males received 1-0 in Paris – essentially the most by a Liverpool goalkeeper in a Champions League recreation since Opta began recording the info in 2003-04. He was additionally spectacular within the return however might do little as PSG superior on a penalty shoot-out.
Defence
Benjamin Pavard (Inter)
Pavard is a constant performer for Inter and he performed an essential position as Simone Inzaghi’s facet edged out Feyenoord 4-1 on combination. Taking part in on the precise facet of a again three for Inter, he slots into our staff in a extra accustomed right-back position.
Raul Asencio (Actual Madrid)
The 22-year-old began the season in Madrid’s reserve facet however has developed rapidly into certainly one of their key gamers. Given his probability by a string of accidents, Asencio would now command a spot in Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice XI. Very good over the 2 legs in opposition to Atletico Madrid.
Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
His staff might have gone out however Uruguay defender Jimenez was a colossus in opposition to Madrid. Confronted with an array of attacking expertise – Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo et al – the 30-year-old stood up manfully, marshalling the Atleti backline.
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
A lot of the speak previous to PSG’s tie with Liverpool targeted on the battle between Ousmane Dembele and Mohamed Salah and who would have the better influence. Because it was, Salah was a peripheral determine throughout the 2 video games, marked beautifully by Portugal left again Mendes.
Midfield
Marco Asensio (Aston Villa)
The Spain midfielder has made a huge effect since arriving at Villa Park on mortgage from PSG. He scored a penalty within the first leg in opposition to Membership Brugge, extending Villa’s benefit to 3-1, after which netted twice in the return as Unai Emery’s males eased by means of.
No Premier League participant has scored extra targets throughout all competitions than Marco Asensio (7) since his debut for Aston Villa in February.
Settling in properly 🏡 pic.twitter.com/n07DwgAgnb
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
The diminutive Portugal midfielder ran each legs in opposition to Liverpool. He was the hub for PSG to dominate the primary recreation after which regularly imposed himself at Anfield, defending when he needed to but additionally serving to launch a sequence of counter assaults.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
Odegaard was a late substitute in opposition to PSV Eindhoven within the second leg on the Emirates final night time however his work had already been achieved. The Denmark midfielder was key to a beautiful Arsenal show on the Philips Stadion final week, scoring twice because the Gunners received 7-1 within the Netherlands.
Forwards
Raphinha (Barcelona)
Enhanced his Ballon d’Or claims with two very good shows as Barcelona beat Benfica. The Brazil playmaker scored the one purpose as Barca received in Lisbon final week after which mixed beautifully with Lamine Yamal because the Catalans received the second leg 3-1. He scored twice and was once more Barca’s finest participant.
🤝 From: Lamine Yamal
🤝 To: Raphinha pic.twitter.com/tRezZxMdaH— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 13, 2025
Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
The France star seems again to his good finest. Tortured the Liverpool backline within the first leg and it stays a thriller how he and his team-mates drew a clean. Made up for it although with the one purpose as PSG received the return at Anfield and backed it up with a coolly taken penalty within the shoot-out.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Kane was the scourge of Bayer Leverkusen with three targets throughout the 2 legs as Bayern received 5-0 on combination. He additionally arrange Alphonso Davies for his facet’s second on the BayArena on Tuesday night time with an excellent cross. Kane has 10 targets on this season’s Champions League – essentially the most ever by an Englishman.
