UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Midpoint Highlights: Key Matchday 4 Results

The UEFA Champions League's 2025/26 season has reached its midpoint, with Matchday 4 fixtures completed on November 4 and 5, 2025. This season continues under the new format introduced in 2024/25, featuring a 36-team league phase where each club plays eight matches against different opponents. The top eight teams will advance directly to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a knockout play-off to secure their place in the Round of 16. The final is scheduled for May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. (uefa.com)

Matchday 4 Highlights:

• Bayer Leverkusen vs. Benfica: Bayer Leverkusen secured a 1-0 away victory over Benfica. The decisive goal came in the 65th minute when Patrik Schick capitalized on a defensive error, heading the ball into the net after his initial shot was parried by Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin. This win marked Leverkusen's first of the campaign, moving them to 21st place with five points. Benfica, under coach José Mourinho, remains winless and near the bottom of the group. (uefa.com)

• Atlético Madrid vs. Union Saint-Gilloise: Atlético Madrid achieved a 3-1 home victory. Goals from Julián Álvarez, Conor Gallagher, and Marcos Llorente ensured the win. Álvarez opened the scoring in the 40th minute, followed by Gallagher's goal in the 72nd minute. Union Saint-Gilloise responded with an 81st-minute header from Ross Sykes, but Llorente sealed the result in stoppage time. This victory places Atlético 14th in the league phase with six points. (uefa.com)

• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich: Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-1. This result has implications for both teams' standings as they compete for positions in the knockout stages. (uefa.com)

• Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: Liverpool secured a 1-0 win against Real Madrid, further solidifying their position in the league phase. (uefa.com)

Implications:

These results have caused shifts in the league standings, with teams like Bayer Leverkusen and Atlético Madrid improving their positions, while traditional powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid face increased pressure to secure points in upcoming fixtures. Players such as Julián Álvarez and Patrik Schick have showcased their abilities on Europe's grand stage, indicating a potential shift in the tournament's dynamics as emerging talents make significant impacts.

Upcoming Matchday 5 Fixtures (November 25 and 26, 2025):

• Tuesday, November 25:
• AFC Ajax vs. SL Benfica
• Galatasaray A.Ş. vs. R. Union Saint-Gilloise
• Borussia Dortmund vs. Villarreal CF
• Chelsea FC vs. FC Barcelona
• FK Bodø/Glimt vs. Juventus
• Manchester City vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen
• Olympique de Marseille vs. Newcastle United FC
• SK Slavia Praha vs. Athletic Club

• SSC Napoli vs. Qarabağ FK

• Wednesday, November 26:

• F.C. Copenhagen vs. FC Kairat Almaty
• Pafos FC vs. AS Monaco
• Arsenal FC vs. FC Bayern München
• Atlético de Madrid vs. FC Internazionale Milano
• Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Atalanta BC
• Liverpool FC vs. PSV Eindhoven
• Olympiacos FC vs. Real Madrid C.F.
• Paris Saint-Germain vs. Tottenham Hotspur
• Sporting Clube de Portugal vs. Club Brugge KV

These fixtures are crucial as teams aim to secure their positions for the knockout stages. (uefa.com)

The UEFA Champions League's 2025/26 season continues to deliver compelling narratives, with the new format providing fresh challenges and opportunities for clubs across Europe. As the league phase progresses, each match carries significant weight, promising fans an exciting journey toward the coveted final in Budapest.