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The UEFA Champions League consists of five stages: preliminary rounds, qualifying rounds, play-offs, group stage, and knockout stage.
1. Preliminary rounds: The winners of these matches proceed to the Champions League qualifying rounds.
2. Qualifying rounds: Three rounds are held, each featuring two-legged ties. The team with the higher aggregate score advances to the next round. After the three rounds, the winning teams qualify for the play-offs.
3. Play-offs: Divided into non-champions and champions paths, these matches are played over two legs. The winners advance to the group stage.
4. Group stage: Comprising eight groups with four teams each, the top two teams from each group advance to the Champions League knockout stage. The third-placed teams from each group in this season will compete in a knockout round against the second-placed teams from the Europa League groups, vying for eight spots in the Europa League round of 16. Each team plays six matches on a home-and-away basis, with rankings determined by points. In case of tied points, head-to-head results, goal difference, and goals scored are considered for ranking. If still tied, drawing of lots determines advancement.
5. Knockout stage: Consists of four rounds - round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final. Except for the final, all rounds are played over two legs. The final is a single-legged match held at a neutral venue (selected in advance each year). If the match is drawn after 90 minutes, extra time of 30 minutes is played, with the winner decided by goals scored during extra time. If still tied after extra time, a penalty shootout determines the winner. |
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