Matchday 7 of the league phase in the 2025-26 Champions League concluded on Wednesday, featuring three teams from La Liga. Barcelona recorded an away win against Slavia Prague, while Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club were also in action.
Atletico Madrid’s Playoff Hopes Hurt by Draw with Galatasaray
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Galatasaray 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid faced a challenging situation in their quest to avoid a critical playoff tie, settling for a draw at Rams Park. They took an early lead when Giuliano Simeone scored from Matteo Ruggeri’s cross just four minutes in, but Galatasaray quickly equalized with an own goal from Marcos Llorente.
Both teams sought a victory in the second half, but the score remained unchanged, leaving Diego Simeone’s squad in 12th place in the league phase standings. While a win against Bodo/Glimt next week could still provide a pathway forward, they will need favorable results from other matches as well.
Athletic Club Completes Remarkable Comeback in Bergamo
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Atalanta 2-3 Athletic Club
Athletic Club remains in contention for the knockout stages of the Champions League after mounting a comeback to beat Atalanta. The hosts took the lead in the first half with a goal from Gianluca Scamacca. However, Athletic struck back after the hour mark, netting three goals in just 16 minutes.
Gorka Guruzeta equalized, followed by a stunning volley from substitute Nico Serrano that put Los Leones ahead. Robert Navarro assisted both goals before scoring himself to increase the lead to 3-1 at the 74-minute mark. Nikola Krstovic added a late goal for Atalanta, but Athletic held on for a thrilling victory.
This crucial win means Athletic Club’s upcoming home match against Sporting CP will be vital, as a victory there could seal their progression to the playoffs, though they may have to consider goal difference in their quest for advancement, much like Atletico.