Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 knockout phase play-offs. This is the start of our live blog, stay tuned for the real-time updates, scores and more.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the UEFA Champions League 2025-26 knockout phase play-offs. This is the start of our live blog, stay tuned for the real-time updates, scores and more.
Fixture: Olympiakos Vs Bayer Leverkusen
Tournament: UEFA Champions League 2025-26 knockout phase play-offs 1st Leg
Venue: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Greece
Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026
Time: 1:15 AM IST
Eddie Howe's Newcastle United have put past 5 goals in the 1st half itself against Azerbaijani side Qarabag at the Tofiq Bahramov Stadium in Baku. Catch all the live action right here.
Vinicius Junior was the central figure in a dramatic 1-0 win for Real Madrid. After scoring a stunning curling goal in the 50th minute, Vini Jr. reported being racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
The match was halted for nearly 10 minutes as the referee activated UEFA’s anti-racism protocol. Amid chaotic scenes, Madrid players briefly threatened to walk off, and Benfica coach Jose Mourinho was later sent off as well for his protests. Despite being struck by objects thrown from the crowd, Vinícius finished the match, securing a vital first-leg lead.
Olympiakos XI: Tzolakis (GK), Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola, Ortega, Mouzakitis, Hezze, Martins, Taremi, Podence and El Kaabi
Leverkusen XI: Blaswich (GK), Quansah, Andrich, Tapsoba, Vazquez, Palacios, Garcia, Grimaldo, Maza, Schick and Poku


And we are underway for the first-half of this all important 1st leg of this knockout phase play-offs. Let's see who scores the first goal.
Even start to the game as both Olympiakos and Leverkusen struggle to maintain possession but the latter team has been slightly better, taking an attempted shot on goal already.

It’s 0-0 at half-time in Piraeus, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story. Olympiakos had a Mehdi Taremi goal disallowed by VAR in stoppage time, following a frightening head collision involving Panagiotis Retsos. Leverkusen’s Ernest Poku missed two clear chances as the physical, high-intensity battle remains deadlocked.
Back underway for the 2nd half of this game and both the teams have all to play for.
Surely Olympiakos won't have any scopes of staging a return now as Bayer Leverkusen take a 2-0 lead, thanks to goals from Patrik Schick.
More than 50% of possession for Olympiakos, but nothing to show for their incredible work rate, on the scoresheet. It remains 2-0 and the Google predictor is saying the Greek outfit has 2 percent chances of staging a comeback.
Bayer Leverkusen put one foot in the Round of 16 with a clinical 2-0 victory in Piraeus. Patrik Schick was the hero, silencing the Karaiskakis Stadium with goals in both halves. Despite a disallowed Mehdi Taremi equalizer, the German side’s defensive discipline ensured they take a commanding lead home.
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