Champions League Round of 16 Kicks Off with Thrilling Matchups Across Europe

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 commenced with a spectacular slate of matches that reminded fans why this tournament remains the pinnacle of European club football. From Madrid to Manchester, the continent's elite clubs battled for crucial first-leg advantages in what promises to be a captivating knockout phase.

Real Madrid hosted RB Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabéu in a match that showcased both teams' attacking prowess. The Spanish giants took an early lead through Vinícius Jr., whose pace and skill proved too much for Leipzig's defense. However, the German side responded with determination, equalizing just before halftime through striker Benjamin Šeško, whose powerful header left Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois with no chance.

In Manchester, City welcomed Copenhagen to the Etihad Stadium in what many expected to be a straightforward victory for Pep Guardiola's side. The Premier League champions dominated possession but found the Danish visitors surprisingly resilient. Erling Haaland finally broke the deadlock in the 67th minute, converting a perfectly weighted cross from Kevin De Bruyne to secure a narrow 1-0 victory that leaves the tie far from decided.

The evening's most dramatic encounter unfolded at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich faced Lazio in a six-goal thriller. The Italian side shocked the home crowd by taking an early two-goal lead through Ciro Immobile and Felipe Anderson, but Bayern's championship pedigree shone through in the second half. Goals from Jamal Musiala, Harry Kane, Leroy Sané, and a stoppage-time winner from substitute Thomas Müller completed a remarkable comeback that had Munich fans in raptures.

PSG's clash with Real Sociedad at the Parc des Princes provided another subplot, with Kylian Mbappé facing his potential future employers from the stands due to injury. Despite missing their star striker, PSG controlled proceedings through Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola, earning a comfortable 2-0 victory that puts them in the driver's seat heading to San Sebastián.

The return legs, scheduled for early March, promise even more excitement as teams look to overturn deficits or protect slender advantages. With away goals no longer a factor, every match remains wide open, setting up what could be one of the most competitive Champions League knockout phases in recent memory.