UCL Round of 16 wrap: Could it be that the the boys separated from the men yet?

When a tournament gets to a certain stage, it is often said that the boys have been separated from the men. Could this be the case already in the Champions League as the last eight have been decided?

Some will say the usual suspects have made it through, other also say that deserving teams have qualified based on their performance. Whatever the case may be, the world has potentials, men with guts and hunger to progress, and above all some exciting football.

Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona made it through after defeating Roma and Arsenal respectively. Also from Spain Atletico Madrid fought a battle of their lives in a thrilling encounter with PSV decided on penalty shootout.

Paris Saint German edged Chelsea, Manchester City booked a place in the last eight for the first time in the campaign after seeing off Dynamo Kiev while Benfica also beat Zenit.

German champions Bayern Munich produced a stunning come back against Juventus to progress as fellow Germans Wolfsburg also saw off Gent to qualify.

Eight clubs from five countries will feature in the draw for the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals which will be held on Friday, 18th March, 2016, What are your expectations? Ready to see the real men make it though?

Champions League: Anderlecht hold Arsenal to 3-3 draw, Real Madrid pip Liverpool (Other Results)

Arsenal.com

Anderlecht came from behind to draw Arsenal 3-3 in the return leg of their Champions league encounter at the Emirates on Tuesday night.

Arteta grabbed the opener for the Gunners after he scored from the penalty spot, Alexis Sanchez doubled while Oxlade-Chamberlain made it three before the boys from Belgium rallied back to see that the match ends in a draw.

Borussia Dortmund sealed their position atop the group beating Galatasary 4-1 in Germany while in Italy, Juventus produced a nervy 3-2 win over Olympiacos at home.

For many hoping to see another goals galore at the Bernabeau, that wish didn't come true as Karim Benzema's lone goal helped Real Madrid secure a slim win over Liverpool.

Other results:

Malmo 0-2 Ath Madrid

Benfica 1-0 Monaco

Basel 4-0 Ludogorets

Zenith St Petersburg 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Real Madrid roast Basel, Arsenal suffer in UCL opener

Courtesy: Twitter/@GOAL_ID 

Real Madrid began their UEFA Champions League title defence with an emphatic 5-1 win over FC Basel at the Santiago Bernabau on Tuesday night.


The visitors shot themselves in the foot by scoring an own goal which put Real ahead before the homes side went on rampage with goals from Garth Bale, Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema.

Arsenal were well entertained in Germany by Borussia Dortmund, a side they have met three times in the last four years.

The Germans outclassed their visitors as the duo Ciro Immobile and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had their names on the scorers sheet in style.

Other Results on the night:

Juventus 2 – 0 Malmo FF
Olympiakos 3 – 2 Atletico Madrid
Liverpool 2 – 1 PFC Ludogorets Razgrad
Benfica 0 – 2 Zenit St. Petersburg
Monaco 1 – 0 Bayer Leverkusen
Galatasaray 1 – 1 Anderlecht

Emirates Cup Update: Sanogo scores four as Arsenal thump Benfica 5-1

Yes it was Yaya Sanogo's day as he scored four times in a stunning performance to help Arsenal beat Benfica 5-1 to make a fine start to the 2014 Emirates Cup.

 

The French striker who had not scored for the club despite an encouraging first season at the Emirates was on fire  making the history books as the first player to score four times in a games since Andrey Arsharvin in April 2009.

Returnee Joel Campbell was also on the scorers' sheet for Arsenal grabbing the second goal of the match but was later replace by new signing Alexis Snachez. Benfica however got a consolation through Nicolas Gaintan who headed home from a long throw

In the other early fixture, Monaco and Valencia played out a 2-2 draw.

The Gunners will face Monaco on Sunday while Benfica confronts Valencia in the second match fixture.

Jesus fails to help Benfica again!

This is interesting! Football fans across the globe are beginning to have a rethink on the issue of Benfica being under a "curse".

Benfica were clearly the best side on the night against Sevilla in the Europa league final on Wednesday night but lost on penalties to the Spanish side.

According to this report  Benfica coach Jorge Jesus and several of the players laughed off talk of the infamous curse in the buildup to the final, but it has now been 52 years since coach Guttman stormed out and the club has failed in every single one of its subsequent European title clashes.

Known as the Jose Mourinho of his era, Guttman had just led Benfica to back-to-back European Cup victories and the Portuguese club looked set to rule the international stage for years to come.

However, shortly after steering his side to victory over Real Madrid in 1962, Guttman quit when his request for a pay rise was turned down.

On leaving he allegedly cursed the club, declaring "not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever be European champion."

And so far it hasn't.

Read more here on USATODAY

Sevilla win Europa League

Sevilla have won the Europa League after defeating Benfica 4-2 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes of open play in Turin.

Benfica were beaten 12 months ago in the final by Chelsea  but this marks a 3rd Europa trophy for Sevilla in eight years.

Europa League: Spanish sides meet in Semi final

Sevilla have been drawn against Valencia in the semi-finals of the Europa League, while Benfica will tackle Juventus.

Europa League: Juve, Valencia cruise into Semi Final

Sevilla bounced back from 1-0 defeat they suffered in Portugal last week as they thumped FC Porto 4-1 in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League match on Thursday night to secure a place in the last four. (4-2 aggregate)

In Italy, Juventus beat Olympic Lyon of France 2-1 to seal a spot having won 0-1in the first leg played in France last week. They however go through on 3-1 aggregate.

Benfica scored twice as they edged out AZ Alkmaar on 3-0 aggregate to also make it though while Valencia did the miraculous by overturning the 3-0 deficit against them. They scored thrice to match FC Basel and sent match into extra time where they score two more goals (5-0) to progres to semi final5-3 gag)

The semi final draw comes up on Friday.