The Champions League play-offs ended on Wednesday. Reigning European champions Real Madrid qualified for the round of 16. Winners over Manchester City in the first leg (2-3), the Merengues, led by an in-form Kylian Mbappé who scored a hat-trick (4th, 33rd and 61st), dominated the English (3-1). With this fine qualification, Real confirms that it remains a serious candidate for its own succession.

In a 100% French duel, Paris Saint-Germain pulverized Stade Brestois of Abdallah Sima and Abdoulaye Niakhaté Ndiaye (7-0). Already winners in the first leg (0-3), the Parisians really strolled against a completely overwhelmed Brestois.

In their Signal Iduna Park home, Borussia Dortmund qualified for the round of 16 without forcing. Finalists last year, the Germans, who had beaten Sporting Lisbon in the first leg (0-3), drew with the Portuguese (0-0).

After Atalanta Bergamo and AC Milan, a third Italian club has fallen by the wayside. It is Juventus: the "Old Lady", victorious over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg (2-1), lost this Wednesday to the Dutch club (3-1) after extra time.