Dorothy

All three sources confirm that Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain failed to finish in the top eight of the newly formatted Champions League league phase, forcing them into the playoff round to qualify for the knockout stage. This outcome followed a chaotic final matchday in which results across multiple groups shifted standings dramatically, with former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho leading AS Monaco to a result that eliminated his former club. Meanwhile, Arsenal became the first team in the new format to win all eight of their league phase matches, a feat noted by CBS Sports as historically significant. While ESPN emphasizes the drama and unpredictability of Matchday 8, framing it as a thrilling conclusion to an engaging group stage — with writers highlighting “highs and lows” of the competition — CBS Sports takes a more analytical tone, questioning whether Arsenal’s perfect record will hold long-term value under the new format. ESPN also underscores Mourinho’s role in Real Madrid’s elimination, portraying it as a personal narrative milestone, whereas CBS focuses on the structural implications of Arsenal’s achievement without delving into individual storylines. All sources agree on the factual outcomes, but differ in emphasis: ESPN leans into emotional and narrative-driven reporting, while CBS prioritizes statistical context and long-term relevance.