Real Madrid have been drawn against Benfica, while Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs following Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
The draw delivered several eye-catching ties as clubs compete for places in the round of 16 under the competition’s new format.
Borussia Dortmund will take on Atalanta in one of the standout fixtures, while Galatasaray were paired with Juventus in another heavyweight showdown.
Atlético de Madrid will meet Club Brugge, Olympiacos will face Bayer Leverkusen in a repeat of their league-phase encounter, and Qarabağ have been drawn against Newcastle United in a first-ever meeting between the two sides.
Italian giants Inter will play Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, marking Bodø/Glimt’s first appearance in the Champions League knockout stages.
The Benfica–Real Madrid tie carries extra intrigue following a dramatic league-phase finale on January 28, 2026. Benfica stunned the Spanish giants 4–2 at the Estádio da Luz, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a remarkable 98th-minute header to seal victory and secure a play-off spot.
Real Madrid, who had taken the lead through Kylian Mbappé and looked set to qualify directly for the round of 16, dropped to ninth place and into the play-offs as a result.
Speaking ahead of the draw, UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti described the league phase as an “emotional rollercoaster,” noting that the competition exceeded expectations after a series of dramatic late goals on Matchday Eight.
Former Arsenal and France winger Robert Pires assisted with the draw, praising the revamped Champions League format and describing the recent round of matches as exciting and entertaining.
The knockout phase play-offs mark the next step on the road to the final, which will be staged in Budapest.
