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    Champions League 2020: Winners and Losers After Saturday's Round-of-16 Results

    Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured ColumnistAugust 8, 2020

    Barcelona's Clement Lenglet is embraced by Barcelona's Lionel Messi after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League round of 16, second leg soccer match between Barcelona and Napoli at the Camp Nou Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
    Joan Monfort/Associated Press

    Barcelona and Bayern Munich are off to the Champions League quarterfinals after relatively drama-free wins Saturday.

    The Catalan giants knocked off Napoli 3-1 (4-2 on aggregate), while the Bavarians took down Chelsea 4-1 (7-1 on aggregate) in a pair of matches that held their first legs all the way back in February before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to Europe's top competition.

    Below, we'll break down some of the top winners and losers from Saturday.

                  

    Winner: Lionel Messi

    Just watch this goal:

    Champions League on CBS Sports @UCLonCBSSports

    Oh. My. Messi. As only he could, the magician does it again. A masterclass in balance, precision, and skill puts @FCBarcelona up 3-1 on aggregate. https://t.co/nKBPfu1Ywi

    That is poetry on a pitch.

    It's incredible that at the age of 33—with an entire career of breathtaking goals behind him—Messi is still capable of surprise. Everyone already knows of his legend, and yet when he shows you the full magnitude of his footballing genius, it still leaves you stunned.

    He had the entire world buzzing Saturday:

    Kevin Clark @bykevinclark

    I saw Messi play for Argentina once, coming on as a sub. When he tore off his warmups to indicate he was coming in, a guy in my row broke into tears of joy. I think that sorta sums it up. We won't see anything like this ever again.

    Rob Stone @RobStoneONFOX

    The composure of #Messi, again, is beyond class. So fortunate to witness him im his never ending prime.

    Champions League 2020: Winners and Losers After Saturday's Round-of-16 Results
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    Charles P. Pierce @CharlesPPierce

    OK, this is getting ridiculous, Messi.

    Paolo Uggetti @PaoloUggetti

    Just saw the Messi goal. Going to need a moment.

    Greg Beacham @gregbeacham

    Messi is not human. What in the world just happened

    And Messi's dominance has become a regular fixture in our lives. His Champions League career is old enough to get its driver's license:

    B/R Football @brfootball

    2005-2020. Messi's been scoring in the Champions League for 16 years 🤯 https://t.co/AcfnOrBMBM

    But Saturday was a reminder not to take Messi for granted while we have him. This goal will likely get lost in his career of personal achievements, stunning highlights and team triumphs. But we don't know how many moments like it he has left in the tank. Best to appreciate them now.

                    

    Loser: Chelsea's Back 4

    Fresh off allowing Arsenal's Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to score a brace in the FA Cup final, Chelsea's defense was shredded by Bayern's dangerous attack, giving up four goals in total and a brace to Robert Lewandowski.

    It was an embarrassing showing for a Chelsea side that otherwise had a solid 2019-20 campaign:

    OptaJoe @OptaJoe

    7-1 - Chelsea's 7-1 defeat on aggregate to Bayern Munich was the second-heaviest inflicted on an English team in Champions League history, behind only Arsenal's 10-2 aggregate defeat in the last 16 in 2016/17, also against Bayern Munich. Hammered. https://t.co/aKgh7NqhgF

    Nizaar Kinsella @NizaarKinsella

    Bayern 4-1 Chelsea (7-1 on agg) The 1st time Chelsea have ever conceded 7 goals in a two-legged tie. For the 4th time in a row, #CFC exit the #UCL in the last 16. Last time they got through was in 2013/14. Only one lesson learned tonight: this level is beyond the club now

    And much as in the FA Cup final, much of the blame could be laid at the feet of the defense:

    Alex Goldberg @AlexGoldberg_

    Buying a LB & CB is non-negotiable, @ChelseaFC

    At the highest level, the likes of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen aren't going to cut it. If Chelsea wants to advance deeper in Europe, the defense needs a makeover.

                    

    Winner: Robert Lewandowski

    Messi stole many of the headlines, but Lewandowski was incredible for Bayern in both legs of its matchup with Chelsea.

    Champions League on CBS Sports @UCLonCBSSports

    As cool as ever! Robert Lewandowski puts one past Willy Caballero from the penalty spot to extend @FCBayernUS’s lead to 4-0 on aggregate over Chelsea. https://t.co/APtkXe9apP

    Just look at these absurd stats:

    OptaJoe @OptaJoe

    7 - Robert Lewandowski was involved in all seven of Bayern Munich's goals against Chelsea in the Champions League this season (3 goals, 4 assists). He was the first player to register 3+ goals and assists against an opponent in a season since Luis Figo in 2004/05 vs Roma. Heaven. https://t.co/6YnMObD34i

    Lewandowski remains one of the world's most clinical finishers. That he has so much talent setting the table for him makes Bayern one of the favorites to win this competition and an enormous threat to Barca in the quarterfinals.

                      

    Loser: Napoli's Champions League Future

    After finishing seventh on the Serie A table, Napoli's only chance at returning to the Champions League was to win the tournament. That was always a long shot, but those dreams officially died Saturday.

    Napoli's otherwise disappointing season did include a Coppa Italia triumph and automatic entry into the Europa League, so all was not lost. But there will be no Champions League for the Naples side next season.