Editor's Note: these figures refer to teams' performance in this week's round of matches and not their chances of winning the competition as a whole.
A+
FC Copenhagen
Completing qualifying from a tough group by beating Galatasaray 1-0 was a huge achievement. Despite Galatasaray and Manchester United's many mistakes, the Danish club were still not expected to pull through, but did so after getting the job done with a disciplined win. Copenhagen occupies a place in the last 16 for the first time since 2010/2011, a feat well above their UEFA coefficient rankings. Lukas Lerager scored the goal, but later, poor discipline might have cost his team two yellow cards, just because his teammates noticed. Jacob Neestrup, their coach, 35, has announced himself as a major talent.
a
Lens
The northern French club secured their place in the Europa League in their first European season in fifteen years, securing it the hard way against Sevilla. It took an injury-time goal from Angelo Fulgini to beat opposition from a serious European background, with Sergio Ramos at his provocative best/worst. Florian Sotoca's pass set up Fulgini to score the winner, and he coolly took his chance as the home crowd understandably went wild. PSV's 1-1 draw against Arsenal, who stepped off the gas after already qualifying, prevented Lens from reaching the last 16 of the Champions League.
A-
Milan, Celtic, Antwerp, Atletico
Both Celtic and Antwerp ended their losing runs and while Milan exited the Champions League with them after Dortmund failed to please them, they entered the Europa League looking like one of the more capable teams in the secondary competition. After soaking up the pressure, energy and atmosphere of Newcastle's St James' Park, Milan saved their best result and performance to date from their Champions League campaign. They might have won by more than 2-1, Christian Pulisic starting with his sharp finish before Samuel Chukwueze, coming off the bench to replace Pulisic, was sent off to score the winner in the breakaway. If Rafael Leão had taken his chances, Milan would have been much more comfortable.
B+
Real Sociedad, PSV
Back in the league for the first time in 10 seasons, La Real completed their progress to the knockouts for the first time in 20 years with a meticulous performance at San Siro to draw a 0-0 and secure their place at the top of to take over the group. They even managed to dominate possession at Internazionale, especially in the first half, but were content to keep out last season's finalists, who failed to score for the first time this season. It looked like Take Kubo had won a 75th-minute penalty, but VAR correctly decided he had dived to win the penalty. His team held out without, while goalkeeper Álex Remiro was given relatively little to do.
b
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Benfica, Porto
Considering the shock and awe of their 5-1 weekend away to Eintracht Frankfurt, the win at Manchester United was an important victory for Thomas Tuchel's regime. Speculation has been heating up over the former Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund manager, but thanks to Harry Kane's vision, winning the Champions League group provided some reprieve to their Bundesliga season. Bayern still have two games to play before a crucial winter break, and Tuchel must hope that the likes of Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala finish better than at Old Trafford. That said, Kane's reverse pass for Kingsley Coman's well-taken goal was an absolute beauty.
C+
Internazionale, Napoli, Union Berlin, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund
Goodbye Union Berlin, who enjoyed their first ever Champions League season despite abandoning European football altogether by failing to reach the Europa League. It took a late Dani Ceballos winner to deny Union and their partisan fans after what had probably been their best performance in the competition against a strong Real Madrid team. It looked like Alex Král had secured a point, then reality sank. Union returns to the fight against relegation from the Bundesliga, from which the Champions League has been a welcome distraction.
c
Manchester City, Arsenal, Red Star Belgrade
Manchester City's underwhelming lineup made for relatively rough weather for Red Star Belgrade, although excellent goals from Micah Hamilton and Oscar Bobb were good signs for the next generation of City players. Kalvin Phillips, likely on his way to the January departure lounge, scored the decisive penalty, his first goal in 30 games for City, although his celebration suggested a hint of shame at being given the chance by Phil Foden. An evening of pleasant experiments for Pep Guardiola – probably his favorite kind.
after newsletter promotion
C−
PSG, Galatasaray, Shakhtar, Feyenoord, Lazio
PSG are back in the last 16 of the competition that caused them so much heartache. Dortmund looked set to inflict the annual pain on themselves, with the same string of missed chances that had damaged their campaign so far. Warren Zaire-Emery cemented his growing reputation with the equalizer and man of the match award, but his team failed to find the winner who would have kept their fate in their own hands. Kylian Mbappé in particular was cheating and few teams will be afraid of the Parisians in the knockout rounds. For all their talent, they remain flaky and self-destructive.
D+
Newcastle, Red Bull Salzburg, Braga, Young Boys
Fatigue and injuries have caught up with Eddie Howe's team, and questions may arise about his team management and perhaps training methods. The extra workload was always going to test Newcastle, but their rollicking 4-1 victory over PSG in October now looks a considerable distance away. That they departed at the hands of a Milan side that was far from vintage, and that they took the lead through Joelinton's stunning goal, will be a huge disappointment. A losing double-header with Dortmund was the real key to their failure to play European football next season. As did their inability to score more than two goals after PSG's win. A learning experience perhaps, but a painful one.
D
Seville
There will be no Sevilla in the Europa League, leaving the competition pretty much open for the rest, as is their usual dominance. Sergio Ramos' lost return has left his boyhood club no longer a contender for the big daddy trophy. Instead, he received a 250th yellow card of his career for colliding with Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba after scoring a Panenka penalty. Ramos could then do little to stop Angelo Fulgini from scoring a winner, which proved a happy consolation for Lens.
D-
Barcelona
Sure, they had already won their group, but losing to Antwerp was quite indicative of Barca's sloppy season. Conceding in the second minute and then beyond full-time betrayed their usual lack of defensive concentration. Marc Guiu seemed to have denied the Belgians their first victory, but George Ilenikhena was still able to cross and score the winner almost straight from the kick-off. After last weekend's La Liga defeat against Girona, Xavi may soon come under some pressure.
F
Manchester United
Oh dear. This season's Champions League had seen United play their better attacking football before, with the caveat that the defense was correspondingly terrible. Tuesday's must-win affair at Old Trafford never looked like a famous European night. The return of Raphaël Varane to defense after a period of exile provided some defensive quality, but United were hopeless going forward. Rasmus Højlund could not add to his five Champions League goals – he has yet to score in the Premier League – due to a genuine lack of service. Erik Ten Hag said afterwards he had “no regrets” but his stewardship is certainly becoming shakier after being dismissed so easily by Bayern. Perhaps a lack of Europa League football on Thursday nights makes the domestic season easier, but United remain the fastest falling star in European football.