2nd February 2026
February 2 – Real Madrid have been handed an awkward path back into the UEFA Champions League knockout rounds after being drawn against Benfica in the playoff phase, renewing their rivalry with former manager José Mourinho just days after losing to the Portuguese side in the league phase finale.
Benfica’s 4–2 win, sealed by a stoppage-time header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, was enough to push them into the final playoff position and pushed the 15-time European champions out of the top eight and into February’s extra knockout round.
Real Madrid have had a difficult time getting into the top eight since the format switch last season, having also dropped into the playoff positions where they met Manchester City.
Under the competition’s expanded format, only the top eight finishers in the 36-team league phase progressed directly to the last 16. Teams placed between ninth and 24th now face a two-legged playoff to join them.
Benfica’s qualification capped a remarkable late recovery. After losing their opening four matches and spending much of the campaign at the foot of the table, the Lisbon side won three of their final four games to finish 24th on goal difference.
Elsewhere, holders Paris Saint-Germain were drawn against domestic rivals Monaco in an all-French playoff. PSG finished 11th after managing just one win in their final five league-phase matches, while Monaco secured qualification with a 0-0 draw against Juventus. Currently sat 10th in Ligue 1 and 21 points off of PSG in the league, Monaco will host the first leg, having already beaten PSG at home earlier this season.
PSG eliminated French opposition at this stage last year before going on to lift the Champions League for the first time, a precedent they will be keen to repeat.
Newcastle United were paired with Qarabag and will travel to Baku as strong favourites, while last season’s finalists Inter Milan face Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt. Juventus take on Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid face Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund meet Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen were drawn against Olympiacos.
The playoff ties will be played over two legs in February, with the round of 16 scheduled for March. This season’s final will be staged at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on May 30.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [moc.l1770038427labto1770038427ofdlr1770038427owedi1770038427sni@g1770038427niwe.1770038427yrrah1770038427](javascript:;)