Real Madrid will face Jose Mourinho’ Benfica in the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 play-off to reach the Round of 16. The two teams met in the eighth and final round of the group phase in a dramatic encounter which the Portuguese side won 4-2 on Jan. 28, 2026 to secure their progress to the play-offs.
The draws for the playoff round took place on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland. Sixteen teams that finished from rank 9 to rank 24 at the end of the league stage featured in the draw to know which club will they face in the playoffs. The top-eight clubs secured a direct qualification into the round of 16.
The 16 clubs that featured in the draws were Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Atlanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag, Bodo/Glimt and Benfica.
The clubs from 9th to 16th are the seeded teams and the clubs from 17th to 24th are the unseeded teams. Seeded teams will play against the unseeded teams with the seeded teams enjoying the benefit of playing the reverse fixture at their home ground.
France and Arsenal legend Robert Pires was invited for the draws. Here are the lineups for the playoff matches.
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid
- Monaco vs. Paris St-Germain
- Qarabag vs. Newcastle
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
- Galatasaray vs. Juventus
- Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
- Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
The first leg of the playoff round matches are scheduled for Feb. 17-18 and the second legs will be played on Feb. 24-25. The eight teams that win their playoff matches will then be drawn against the top-eight teams that secured the direct qualification to the Round of 16.
ALSO READ: UEFA Champions League 2025-26: Full List Of Qualified Teams After League Stage Finale
Comprehensive Budget 2026 coverage,
LIVE TV analysis,
Stock Market and
Industry reactions,
Income Tax changes and
Latest News on NDTV Profit.
