WATCH: Goalkeeper scores to down Madrid in incredible CL clash

Thursday morning played host to the final game of the Champions League league phase, with all 36 clubs battling it out for a spot in the knockout phases.

And in typical Champions League fashion, it did not disappoint.

European giants Real Madrid would miss out on an automatic place in the Round of 16 in unfathomable fashion, with their fate residing on the final touch of their game against Benfica.

3-2 down, Madrid needed a draw to leap into the top eight of the league table and avoid a play-off draw. Hosts Benfica also needed a goal in order to scrape a last gasp place in the top 24 and to avoid elimination from the competition.

With Madrid down to nine men, Benfica were awarded a free kick, with manager Jose Mourinho urging all men forward, including Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin...

With that incredible finish, Madrid were forced to settle into ninth place and must go through the Play-off against none other than Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.

Across the other fixtures, five of the six competing Premier League clubs all secured a spot in the top eight, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City all advancing directly through to the Round of 16.

Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Kairat Almaty sees them atop the table, unscathed in their eight contests with eight wins.

Bayern Munich secured a 2-1 win over PSV courtesy of a Harry Kane goal late in the exchange, locking them into second place.

Liverpool and Tottenham defied their domestic struggles, winning six and five games respectively to round out the top four. Liverpool’s emphatic 6-0 win over Qarabag will certainly offer much confidence to the side who have not won in any of their last five Premier League contests.

Barcelona would also comfortably find their place in the eight, beating FC Copenhagen 4-1 to nestle into fifth.

The bottom end of the top eight was far from smooth sailing, with Chelsea, Manchester City, Inter Milan and PSG amongst those vying for automatic entry.

Despite their dominance, PSG could only manage a draw against the visiting Newcastle, meaning both clubs finished just two points outside the top eight.

Chelsea’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory in Naples locked them into sixth place, knocking Napoli out of the 24 and eliminating them from the tournament.

Manchester City took care of Turkish side Galatasaray, putting away two goals within the opening 30 minutes to cruise to a 2-0 win.

The final spot within the top eight would come down to the final moments across the tournament, with the drama extending to the final kick of the entire league phase.

Despite an impressive 2-0 away win at Dortmund, Inter Milan would fall a point short of the autos, while Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt would become the first team all season to knock off Atletico Madrid at their home ground, securing themselves a spot in the Play-off whilst also holding Atletico out of the top eight.

Incredibly, Portugal’s Sporting CP would travel to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club, and with the last kick of the game, Brazilian substitute Alisson Santos would tuck home a sensational winner in the 94th minute, elevating Sporting into the eight and knocking out the Spaniards at the death.

Thanks to Marseille’s 3-0 loss to Club Brugge, Benfica were able to sneak into 24th thanks to their goalkeeper, heading home from close range to give Benfica a 4-2 lead and a place in the Champions League Play-off!

Chaos from start to finish, the new Champions League format delivered in all forms on the final day.