The final Champions League matchweek of 2025 concluded dramatically as Manchester City triumphed over Real Madrid with a score of 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This victory propelled Josep Guardiola’s team to fourth place in the league standings, while Xabi Alonso faced his second consecutive defeat in all competitions, resulting in only two wins from his last eight matches.
The encounter, often termed as an intercontinental Clasico, began with high energy and a sense of urgency from the whites, who were eager to assert themselves.
advertisement
Alonso is navigating a difficult first season as manager, with signs of unrest reported among players. Following last weekend’s 2-0 setback against Celta Vigo, Real Madrid finds itself four points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The match against Man City was critical for the team.
Despite missing Kylian Mbappé due to a muscle injury and Rodrygo finally scoring after 32 appearances, Manchester City quickly rallied back with goals from Nico O’Reilly and a penalty by Erling Haaland, ultimately securing victory despite strong performances from Thibaut Courtois.
In other Wednesday fixtures, Arsenal defeated Club Brugge 3-0, with Noni Madueke scoring an impressive brace and Gabriel Martinelli netting a stunning third, allowing them to finish the year atop the league and achieve a record of six straight wins. Juventus also made headlines as they triumphed 2-0 over Paphos with contributions from Weston McKennie and Jonathan David, while PSG and Athletic de Bilbao played to a draw.
advertisement
On Tuesday, Liverpool secured a vital 1-0 victory against Inter, while Chelsea’s winless streak extended with a 2-1 loss to Atalanta. Bayern Munich’s young star Lennart Karl set a record by becoming the youngest player to score in three consecutive Champions League matches, helping Bayern to a 3-1 victory over Sporting.
Even though the league phase won’t resume until January 20th with two matchweeks remaining, the contest for the top eight automatic spots remains intensely competitive.
Josep Guardiola’s Manchester City proved to be too much for Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid.
(NurPhoto, Getty Images)
winners
pep guardiola
The Catalan coach ventured into hostile territory, guiding his team to a significant and resilient victory over Real Madrid. His strategic substitutions in the second half played a crucial role in this win, allowing City to secure fourth place in the league standings.
advertisement
Arsenal’s Noni Madueke
After a defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, Arsenal bounced back with a commanding 3-0 victory over Club Brugge. Noni Madueke was the standout performer, netting two goals, including a stunning opener from outside the box, helping the Gunners reach the top of the league phase with three vital points.
Madueke’s transfer from Chelsea last summer was aimed at providing depth and a viable alternative to Bukayo Saka, and his contributions are proving essential for Mikel Arteta in their pursuit of titles.
advertisement
Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl
The 17-year-old forward made history as the youngest player to score in three consecutive Champions League matches, helping Bayern triumph 3-1 against Sporting and concluding the year in second place, three points behind Arsenal. With his impressive stature and skill, comparisons to Lionel Messi are inevitable, but whether he can replicate that success remains to be seen. Nevertheless, Lenny Karl is undoubtedly a talent that Bayern Munich are fortunate to have.
With just two wins from eight games, Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid project is in a precarious situation.
(Europe Press Sport via Getty Images)
losers
Xabi Alonso
Following the defeat against Manchester City, Real Madrid’s coach finds himself in a precarious position. The club demands excellence, and after only two wins in eight matches, they currently sit seventh in the league, four points behind Barcelona. If they fail to win or even draw against Alaves on Sunday, Florentino Perez’s patience may run out.
advertisement
Chelsea
Although they took an early lead, Enzo Maresca’s team fell 2-1 to Atalanta. With only two matches left in the league phase, the Blues likely need to win both to secure automatic qualification for the top eight.
Post-match, Maresca remarked that his squad “lost control” after conceding the equalizer, a problem that seems to plague Chelsea regularly. When at their best, they can weather storms, yet when challenges arise, their vulnerabilities surface. This was evident in Bergamo when Enzo Fernandes and Trevor Chalobah’s substitutions at halftime triggered a shift in momentum, leading to Atalanta’s decisive goal.
advertisement
Currently, Chelsea is enduring a two-game losing streak across all competitions, with no wins in their last four outings, and Maresca acknowledges the need for urgent improvement.
In the world of soccer, these results highlight both the fierce competition of top-tier teams and the vulnerabilities of those struggling to find form. For fans, this means intense anticipation for the next matches, as the pressures of the league can dramatically influence team fortunes and managerial careers.
