Liverpool and Barcelona booked their spots in the last 16 of the Champions League with victories in their penultimate games against 10-man Lille and Benfica respectively. Arne Slot's men maintained their 100% record and are top of the 36-team table with 21 points,

Barça struck deep into stoppage time to edge a dramatic nine-goal encounter while Liverpool made it seven wins from seven by beating Lille.

Barcelona's spectacular fightback against Benfica on Tuesday meant Liverpool would have to wait another week to be confirmed winner of the league phase of the new look Champions League. But manager Arne Slot was full of praise for referee Danny Makkelie playing so much stoppage time in the 5-4 win for Barcelona.

Harvey Elliott's deflected strike secured a seventh consecutive Champions League victory for Arne Slot's men after Jonathan David cancelled out Mohamed Salah's opener. Liverpool remain three points clear of Barcelona, who came from 4-2 down to beat Benfica 5-4.

FC Barcelona's heroic comeback win over Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday could end up being worth over $50 million to the club.

Liverpool secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Lille on Tuesday, while Barcelona staged a thrilling 5-4

Benfica opened the scoring in the second minute, when Pavlidis escaped Pau Cubarsi and fired home from Alvaro Carreras' low cross. Barcelona responded swiftly with Lewandowski scoring from the penalty spot after Alejandro Balde was brought down by Benfica defender Tomas Araujo.

Liverpool maintained their perfect Champions League record to guarantee a top-two finish in the league phase and automatic last-16 qualification with a 2-1 win over Lille at Anfield on Tuesday.

Last year's runner-up, Borussia Dortmund, entered the day with a chance to jump as high as second place in the 36th team table only to squander a 1-0 halftime lead in Italy and lose to Bologna, while Barcelona stormed back from a multi-goal second half deficit to take all three points in rain-soaked Lisbon.

Aston Villa’s hopes of automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16 took a blow after a 1-0 loss to Monaco on Tuesday, while Atalanta won big to keep up its strong campaign.

Latest transfer news & Champions League reaction as Liverpool qualify, Aston Villa lose; Barcelona comeback to win 5-4 at Benfica