By Associated Press
Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid conclusively sealed England’s long-expected fifth guaranteed entry in the Champions League next season.
In the new 36-team Champions League format, UEFA awards bonus places to the two nations whose sides collectively perform the best over the three European club competitions this season.
England, which has led the rankings since early in the season, has the most teams — five — left playing across the three competitions. It now cannot be caught by third-place Italy.
The English Premier League confirmed its fifth entry in the Champions League after Arsenal’s stunning 3-0 win over the defending champion on Tuesday in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
Spain is second in the UEFA rankings though still can be caught by Italy.
Italy and Germany had the bonus entries this season based on European results in 2023-24. Those went to fifth-place teams in Serie A and the Bundesliga, Bologna and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
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