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UEFA Champions League Draw: Real Madrid vs Benfica, PSG vs Monaco Headline Knockout Ties

UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Draw: Real Madrid have been drawn against Benfica in the knockout phase playoffs, while holders Paris Saint-Germain face Monaco

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, right, vies for the ball with Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between Benfica and Real Madrid, in Lisbon, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026. | Photo: AP/Armando Franca
Summary
  • Real Madrid will meet Benfica in playoffs just days after the Portuguese side forced them into knockout round

  • Defending champions PSG face Monaco in all-French tie, while Inter Milan take on surprise package Bodo/Glimt

  • The two-legged playoffs will be played on February 17-18 and February 24-25

The UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff draw was conducted on January 30, 2026, at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

Fifteen-time European champions Real Madrid were paired once again with Benfica, just days after the Portuguese side forced them into the playoffs with a dramatic 4-2 victory.

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the eighth minute of added time to seal Benfica’s win and send Madrid into the knockout play-offs. Real Madrid could yet face Manchester City in the next round if they progress.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were drawn against Monaco in an all-French playoff. PSG were also dropped to playoffs during their title-winning campaign last season.

Meanwhile, Inter Milan, last season’s finalists, will take on Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegian club’s rise has been one of the surprise stories this season, with back-to-back wins against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

The winners of each two-legged tie will advance to the Champions League round of 16.

UEFA Champions League Playoff Draw

  • Benfica vs Real Madrid

  • Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan

  • Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain

  • Qarabag vs Newcastle

  • Galatasaray vs Juventus

  • Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

  • Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

  • Olympiakos vs Bayer Leverkusen

UEFA Champions League Playoff Schedule

The first legs of the knockout phase playoffs will be played on February 17-18, with the second legs scheduled for February 24-25.

Teams Directly Qualified For Round of 16

The following clubs have qualified automatically for the round of 16 by finishing in the top eight:

Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, Manchester City.

(With AP Inputs)

Published At:
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