Champions League Round of 16: Upsets and Drama Mark First Leg Matches

European football fans witnessed a night of unprecedented drama as the Champions League Round of 16 first leg matches concluded with results that few could have predicted. Traditional powerhouses found themselves on the back foot while underdogs seized the spotlight in matches that will be remembered for years to come.

The biggest shock of the evening came at the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich suffered a stunning 3-1 defeat to AC Milan. The Italian side, written off by many pundits before the tie, produced a masterclass in counter-attacking football. Rafael Leao opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a brilliant solo effort, cutting through Bayern's defense before slotting home past Manuel Neuer. Christian Pulisic doubled Milan's advantage just before halftime, capitalizing on a defensive error from Dayot Upamecano.

Bayern's expected second-half comeback never materialized. Instead, Milan sealed their victory through Olivier Giroud's 78th-minute header, with Harry Kane's late consolation goal feeling more like a footnote than a momentum shifter. Milan coach Stefano Pioli was ecstatic after the match, praising his team's tactical discipline and clinical finishing.

"This is what Champions League nights are about," Pioli said in his post-match interview. "We knew Bayern would have most of the possession, but we were patient and took our chances when they came. The job is only half done, but this gives us tremendous confidence for the return leg at San Siro."

Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain managed to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, though the scoreline flattered the French champions. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 34th minute, but Barcelona equalized through Robert Lewandowski's predatory finish just after the hour mark. The decisive moment came in the 89th minute when Ousmane Dembélé, facing his former club, curled home a stunning winner that sent the Parisian crowd into delirium.

The night's other standout performance came from Napoli, who demolished Liverpool 4-0 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Victor Osimhen was unstoppable, scoring twice in the first half before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added two second-half goals to complete Liverpool's humiliation. Jurgen Klopp's side, winners of the competition in 2019, now face an almost impossible task in the return leg at Anfield.

As the dust settles on these remarkable first leg encounters, the return matches promise even more drama. With several traditional favorites now facing elimination, the path to the final in Munich has become more unpredictable than ever before.