It was an absorbent round of 16 in the Champions League with goals and controversy.
The last draw to end saw defending champion Real Madrid past Atletico Madrid squeezing largely thanks to the decision of the VAR around Julian Alvarez had kicked the ball twice when he had taken his sentence in the shoot-out.
Arsenal also progressed for seven in the first stage after hit PSV Eindhoven, while Barcelona, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also the quarterfinals.
PSG compete against Aston Villa, Barca meets Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid Play Arsenal and the draw of De Ronde sees Bayern Munich opposite Italian Champions Inter.
Here we look back on the striking artists in this round and select our best XI.
Goalkeeper
Alisson (Liverpool)
May feel a shame to have left the competition, especially after his heroic first puten in the Parc des Princes. The Brazil international made nine Saves when the men of Arne Slot won 1-0 in Paris most by a Liverpool goalkeeper in a Champions League match since OPTA started recording the data in 2003-04. He was also impressive in the return, but could do little if PSG improved on a penalty shoot-out.
Defense
Benjamin Pavard (Inter)
Pavard is a consistent performer for Inter and he played an important role, because Simone Inzaghi’s side of Feyenoord was eliminated 4-1 in total. He plays three for Inter on the right side of a back, he throws our team in a more used right -wing role.
Raul Asencio (Real Madrid)
The 22-year-old started the season at the Madrid reserve, but has quickly developed into one of their most important players. Given his chance due to a series of injuries, Asencio would now recommend a place in the first choice XI of Carlo Ancelotti. Fantastic over the two legs against Atletico Madrid.
Jose Maria Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
His team may have gone out, but Uruguay defender Jimenez was a colossus against Madrid. Faced with a range of attacking talent-Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius JR, Rodrygo et al-the 30-year-old stood up male and stood up the Athleti backline.
Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain)
Much of the conversation prior to PSG’s draw with Liverpool focused on the battle between Ousmane Dembele and Mohamed Salah and who would have the greater impact. As it was, Salah was a peripheral figure over the two games, excellently marked by Portugal Left Back Mendes.
Midfield
Marco Asensio (Aston Villa)
The midfielder of Spain has had a huge impact since he is on loan on loan in Villa Park. He scored a penalty in the first stage against Club Brugge, which extended the benefit of Villa to 3-1, and then twice on the return to the return, when the men of Unai Emery came together.
No Premier League player has scored more goals in all competitions than Marco Asensio (7) since his debut for Aston Villa in February.
Naturally settling 🏡 pic.twitter.com/n07dwgagnb
– Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
The diminutive Portugal -midfielder ran both legs against Liverpool. He was the hub for PSG to dominate the first game and then gradually resigned himself in Anfield, defensive when he had to, but also helped to launch a series counterattacks.
Martin Odegarard (Arsenal)
Odegaard was a late replacement against PSV Eindhoven in the second stage of the Emirates last night, but his work was already done. The midfielder of Denmark was the key to a beautiful Arsenal display in the Philips Stadium last week and scored twice while the Gunners won 7-1 in the Netherlands.
Ahead
Rappinha (Barcelona)
Improved his balloon d’Or claims with two excellent displays while Barcelona Benfica defeated. The Brazilian playmaker scored the only goal when Barca won in Lisbon last week and then perfectly combined with Lamine Yamal when the Catalans won the second stage 3-1. He scored twice and was again the best player in Barca.
🤝 From: Lamine Yamal
🤝 To: Raphinha pic.twitter.com/trezzxmdah– FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona) March 13, 2025
Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
The France star appears back to his brilliant best. Tortured the Liverpool in the first stage and it remains a mystery how he and his teammates pulled a blank. However, it made up for the only goal when PSG won the return at Anfield and supported it with a cool penalty in the shoot-out.
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Kane was the scourge of Bayer Leverkusen with three goals over the two legs when Bayern won 5-0. He also founded Alphonso Davies for the second of his party in the Bayarena on Tuesday evening with an excellent pass. Kane has 10 goals in the Champions League of this season – the most ever by an Englishman.
