History makers
FC Machida Zelvia and Johor Darul Ta'zim created history by advancing to the quarter-finals. While Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim did so at the sixth time of trying, Japan's Machida qualified in their maiden continental campaign. Machida are the sixth Japanese side to qualify for the quarter-finals in their first participation in the competition - joining Kawasaki Frontale (2007), Urawa Red Diamonds (2007), Nagoya Grampus (2009), Cerezo Osaka (2011) and Vissel Kobe (2020).

Buriram eye step-up
Buriram United will be seeking to advance further than they ever have after qualifying for the quarter-finals for the third time - having also done so in 2013 and 2024/25. Earning a semi-final spot will mean they would be only the second side from Thailand to have done so, with BEC Tero doing so in 2003.

Vissel end unwanted record
Vissel Kobe advanced from the Round of 16 after having fallen at the same stage last season with a 2-1 win on the night and 3-1 on aggregate against FC Seoul. They came from behind to defeat the Korea Republic side - the first time they have won a game after trailing in AFC Champions League Elite history. Their previous eight matches ended in one draw and seven defeats.

On the low side
Machida Zelvia completed just 35 passes in the final third against Gangwon FC on Tuesday, their lowest in any AFC Champions League Elite game. Korea Republic's Gangwon may have exited the competition but such was the tightness of their play that they restricted opponents to 40 or fewer successful passes in the final third in four games this season, the most often of any side. Unfortunately, not finding the back of the net for four consecutive matches ultimately cost the debutants.

Sanfrecce's late show
It wasn't enough at the end but Kosuke Kinoshita’s winner in the 90th minute for Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their 1-0 win against Johor Darul Ta'zim was the Japanese side's sixth goal in the last 15 minutes of regulation time this season, their outright most in a single edition of the AFC Champions League Elite (five in 2010) and the joint-most such goals by any side this season (also Melbourne City).

No nonsense approach
Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Cristian Glauder and Eddy Israfilov both made 15 clearances against Sanfrecce Hiroshima - making it the first instance of teammates both making 15+ clearances in an AFC Champions League Elite game since Buriram United’s Andres Tunez (18) and Pansa Hemviboon (16) did so against Guangzhou FC on 14 February 2018 and the first such instance in a knockout game since Pohang Steelers’ Kim Hyung-il (18) and Kim Kwang-suk (17) did so against FC Seoul in the second leg of their 2014 quarter-finals.

Pass masters
Melbourne City’s trio of Samuel Souprayen, Aziz Behich and German Ferreyra attempted 143, 119 and 114 passes respectively in their loss to Buriram United – the first, second and third most by any player in a single game in the ongoing season; in fact, Souprayen (127) and Behich (103) are now one of three players to make 100+ successful passes in a single game this season.

Etheridge shines
Buriram's shootout hero Neil Etheridge made 25 final third entries against Melbourne City, the most by any goalkeeper and joint most by any player in a single game in the ongoing season alongside Ruben Neves (25 vs Al Duhail on 16 September 2025).