UEFA Champions League: Hakimi with assist double; Catamo and Díaz advance

Three African internationals advanced to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday with Achraf Hakimi leading the charge. The Morocco national team star helped Paris Saint-Germain advance with a dominant 8-2 aggregate victory over Chelsea FC with two assists in the Parisian giants’ 3-0 second leg victory.

Already up 5-2 from the first leg in Paris, the visitors went ahead early after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s 6th minute strike. Before fifteen minutes had elapsed, it was 2-0 in favor of the reigning European club champions after Hakimi’s square pass found Bradley Barcola for a strike from distance.

Hosts Chelsea looked capable at times but failed to capitalize on their opportunities to make the second leg interesting. Soon after the hour mark, Hakimi’s second assist arrived in fortunate circumstances when his attempt to strike from a cross saw his miskick fall to Senny Mayulu who fired in the third goal. PSG will face either Galatasaray or Liverpool next.

AFCON reprieve and UEFA Champions League glory for Díaz

Hakimi’s Morocco teammate, Brahim Díaz, also enjoyed Tuesday for reasons both on and off the pitch. With the Atlas Lions being awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title via forfeit after Díaz’s missed penalty kick made him the initial villain, the playmaker also advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals after Real Madrid confirmed a 5-1 aggregate victory over Manchester City.

ابراهيم دياز مستحيل في هذه اللقطة!😳#ريال_مدريد_السيتي pic.twitter.com/OjaHZknqAG

— KHALID ALOLYAN 🇸🇦🐪 (@OLYAN15K) March 17, 2026

The Morocco star showed some of his flair against his former club, coming close to scoring after a splendid dribbling move in the Manchester City penalty area. After being limited to a role off the bench for most of the 2025-26 season, he has now started the last four matches for Real with victories in every match. Los Merengues will likely face Bayern Munich next in the final eight.

Earlier on Tuesday, Geny Catamo and Sporting CP completed a second leg comeback to overcome Norwegian surprise package Bodø/Glimt. The Portuguese giants won 3-0 in the second leg to level the aggregate total before scoring twice in extra time to confirm advancement in front of their home supporters at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

HISTORY MAKERS 💫 pic.twitter.com/cbKhnOvWTZ

— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) March 17, 2026

Mozambique national team star Catamo played every minute of the second leg and Sporting will now take on English giants Arsenal in the quarterfinals.