Real Madrid battle Benfica, PSG draw Monaco in Champions League knockout play-offs

European heavyweights Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have been handed tricky tests in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs following Friday’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.

Spanish giants Real Madrid will square off against Portuguese side Benfica, while French champions PSG are set for a blockbuster domestic showdown against fellow Ligue 1 rivals Monaco.

The draw produced several eye-catching fixtures as clubs battle for spots in the coveted round of 16 under the competition’s newly introduced format, which adds extra intensity and drama to the knockout stages.

Borussia Dortmund will face Atalanta in the first confirmed tie of the play-offs, while Galatasaray were drawn against Juventus in another heavyweight encounter.

Atlético de Madrid will take on Club Brugge, Olympiacos will meet Bayer Leverkusen in a rematch of a league-phase clash, and Qarabağ were paired with Newcastle United in a first-ever meeting between both sides.

Italian giants Inter will face Norwegian champions Bodø/Glimt, marking the latter’s first appearance in the Champions League knockout stages.

Benfica’s tie with Real Madrid carries added spice after a dramatic league-phase finale on January 28, 2026. The Portuguese club stunned Real Madrid 4–2 at the Estádio da Luz, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a sensational 98th-minute header to secure victory and a place in the playoffs.

Real Madrid, who had led through Kylian Mbappé and appeared poised to qualify directly for the round of 16, slipped into ninth place and the play-off round as a result.

UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgio Marchetti, speaking ahead of the draw, described the league phase as an “emotional rollercoaster,” noting that expectations were exceeded following 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 are the next step on the road to the final, which will be held in Budapest.