Spread the wordArsenal and Chelsea have secured automatic qualification for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League following the conclusion of Matchday 8 of the league phase on Wednesday night. Arsenal finished the group stage with a perfect record after defeating FC Kairat 3–2 at the Emirates Stadium. In contrast, European heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid failed to secure automatic qualification and will now contest the playoff round. PSG were held to a draw by Newcastle United, while Real Madrid suffered a damaging defeat in Portugal despite a brace from Kylian Mbappé. Several other clubs, including Inter Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund and Monaco, will also compete in the playoff stage for the remaining round-of-16 places.