Real Madrid Draw Benfica Again in Champions League Knockout Playoffs

Real Madrid’s route to the Champions League round of 16 just got a lot tougher — and a lot more familiar.

Friday’s knockout playoff draw confirmed that Álvaro Arbeloa’s side will face Benfica over two legs next month, setting up a quick-fire rematch after the dramatic 4–2 defeat in Lisbon on the final day of the league phase. That loss, combined with a late winner elsewhere that shifted the standings, pushed Madrid into the playoff bracket and took away the comfort of a straight passage into the last 16.

Now, the holders of European history’s most demanding standard will have a chance at immediate redemption — but there’s no margin for error. The knockout playoff is exactly that: survive two games, or watch the rest of the competition from home.

Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain have also been handed a complicated path, drawn against domestic rivals Monaco in a tie that guarantees one major name will fall before the round of 16. Newcastle United have been paired with Qarabağ and face a difficult away trip, while Inter meet Bodø/Glimt as last season’s finalists try to reset their European campaign.

Full 2025–26 Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw

• Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
• Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
• Galatasaray vs Juventus
• Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid
• Monaco vs PSG
• Qarabağ vs Newcastle
• Benfica vs Real Madrid
• Bodø/Glimt vs Inter

When are the matches?

• First legs: Feb. 17/18 (unseeded teams host)
• Second legs: Feb. 24/25 (seeded teams host)
• Next draw (Round of 16 to Final brackets): Feb. 27

And after that, the calendar accelerates fast:

• Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18
• Quarterfinals: April 7/8 & 14/15
• Semifinals: April 28/29 & May 5/6
• Final: May 30

For Madrid, the message is clear: if they want another deep run, it starts with putting Benfica behind them — immediately.

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