Champions League last 16: Which teams have qualified for the knockout stages?
By Sean Walsh
We're entering the harsh depths of winter, which means it's time to start separating the men from the boys in the Champions League.
With just one game remaining, 15 teams have sealed their passage to the knockout stages in 2022 - with mother nature meaning we need to wait a little longer for a full complement of teams.
But who has qualified, how did they get there and will they be seeded in December's draw? Step right up...
Group Winners
1. Manchester City
Group A
Beaten finalists Man City are ready to have another crack at Europe's grandest trophy after topping a group featuring Paris Saint-Germain.
Can Pep Guardiola win his first European Cup in over a decade? God, I'm getting old.
2. Liverpool
Group B
Jurgen Klopp admitted that he did not expect to qualify for the last 16 after just four games following Liverpool's double over Atletico Madrid, but here he and his men are.
Like Bayern, the Reds are searching for a seventh Champions League crown.
3. Ajax
Group C
After a couple of years out of the spotlight following their memorable 2018/19 run, Erik ten Hag's Ajax are back in the Champions League knockouts having won their first four group games - including back-to-back victories over Borussia Dortmund.
4. Real Madrid
Group D
Pipping Inter to first place is old nemesis Carlo Ancelotti and his Real Madrid side, who have been going from strength to strength in recent weeks with Karim Benzema and Vinicius Jr in the form of their lives.
5. Bayern Munich
Group E
2020 winners Bayern Munich are obviously through to the last 16, it would hardly be a Champions League knockout stages without them.
While top spot is already secure thanks to their 100% winning record, Julian Nagelsmann's side also have the pleasure of being able to eliminate Barcelona if they beat them on matchday six. Tasty.
6. Manchester United
Group F
In spite of the crisis that's threatening to get way out of hand at Manchester United, at least they're through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time in three seasons.
For all of his group stage antics, Cristiano Ronaldo is also looking to break a knockout stage duck of his own by advancing past the last 16 stage for the first time in three seasons...
7. Lille
Group G
It was all to play for in Group G in the final round of fixtures, with the spoils eventually going to Ligue 1 champions Lille.
They may not be having a great season domestically, but a number of impressive performances - namely away at Wolfsburg on matchday six - showed they have a bit about them to trouble whoever they may draw.
8. Juventus
Group H
While Juventus' domestic woes continue and they're facing an uphill battle to qualify for the Champions League next season, they can at least be comforted with the fact they'll still be in this year's competition come February.
Better still, they saw off Chelsea in the final round of games to top Group H - Moise Kean the hero against Malmo.
Runners-up
9. Paris Saint-Germain
Group A
While PSG were beaten in their crunch showdown with Man City on matchday five, RB Leipzig's demolition of Club Brugge ensured that the Ligue 1 side had qualification in the bag heading into the last round of group games.
Well done, you have Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
10. Atletico Madrid
Group B
Squeezing through by the skin of their teeth are Atletico Madrid, who were the beneficiaries of a thrilling final matchday in Group B.
Diego Simeone's men knew they needed a win away to Porto to advance, and that's exactly what they got - with a sprinkling of Cholo nonsense dashed in between the three goals they grabbed on the night.
11. Sporting CP
Group C
Props to Sporting Club de Portugal for a) winning their first league title in forever last season and b) knocking Borussia Dortmund out in the Champions League group stages to seal their own path to the knockouts!
12. Inter
Group D
For the first time in ten years, Inter have secured their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League - hooray!
The Nerazzurri had the chance to secure top spot with a win at the Santiago Bernabeu on matchday six, but were beaten 2-0.
13. Benfica
Group E
Most people would expected Barcelona to progress out of Group E alongside Bayern Munich, but Benfica - and the Spanish giants themselves - had other ideas.
Benfica weren't brilliant in truth, picking up just eight points from their six games, but their final day win over Dynamo Kyiv was enough to take them through as runners-up to a dominant Bayern.
14. Atalanta or Villarreal
Group F
We don't yet know who will be progressing from Group F in second place after the postponement of Atalanta's game with Villarreal because of heavy snow.
The game will take place in Bergamo as soon as is feasibly possible, with one side about to follow group winners Manchester United into the last 16.
15. Salzburg
Group G
The Red Bull name is now a familiar one in the top tier of European competition, but it's Salzburg - and not Leipzig - who are through to the last 16 of the Champions League.
The breeding ground for a number of world class players over the past few years, they edged out Europa League specialists Sevilla on matchday six to wrap up second place and a seat with the big boys in knockout football.
16. Chelsea
Group H
Can anyone stop Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea from being the first team not named Real Madrid to retain the title in the Champions League era?
Possibly, as the draw with Zenit on the last final day of the group stages means a group winner now awaits the reigning champs.