Real Madrid will face Benfica, while Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) take on Monaco in the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off stage, following Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
The draw set up several high-profile clashes as clubs compete for spots in the round of 16 under the competition’s new format. Borussia Dortmund will meet Atalanta, and Galatasaray will clash with Juventus in another heavyweight encounter. Atlético Madrid were paired with Club Brugge, Olympiacos will face Bayer Leverkusen in a rematch of their league-phase tie, and Qarabağ will play Newcastle United for the first time.
Italian champions Inter Milan will face Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, marking the latter’s debut in the Champions League knockout stages.
The Real Madrid–Benfica tie carries extra drama after the Portuguese side stunned Real Madrid 4–2 on January 28, 2026, at the Estádio da Luz, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a 98th-minute header to secure victory and a place in the playoffs. Real Madrid, who had led through Kylian Mbappé and seemed set to qualify directly for the round of 16, slipped into ninth place and must now navigate the play-off round.
UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti described the league phase as an “emotional rollercoaster,” noting the high drama of late goals on Matchday Eight. Former Arsenal and France winger Robert Pires, who assisted with the draw, praised the revamped format and described the recent matches as “exciting and entertaining.”
The knockout play-offs are the next step on the road to the final, which will be held in Budapest.
