Champions League Knockout Play-Off Draw: Newcastle land Qarabag as Benfica and Real Madrid set for explosive rematch
Newcastle United face a historic trip to Azerbaijan against Qarabag in their first-ever European knockout tie, while Benfica and Real Madrid renew hostilities after their dramatic league-phase showdown in the Champions League play-offs.
The road to the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 is officially set, and the knockout play-off draw has delivered a mix of history, intrigue and high-stakes rematches.
Newcastle United will face Qarabag in what marks the club’s first appearance in the Champions League knockout stages, while Benfica and Real Madrid are set to collide again after one of the most chaotic finishes of the league phase.
Elsewhere, holders Paris Saint-Germain have been handed an all-French tie against Monaco, while Italian heavyweights Juventus and Inter Milan face Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt respectively.
The two-legged play-off ties will be contested on February 17–18 and February 24–25, with a place in the last 16 on the line.
Newcastle’s European Breakthrough meets a gruelling test
For Newcastle, the draw represents another landmark moment in their modern resurgence. Eddie Howe’s side will travel more than 5,000 miles to Azerbaijan for the first leg against Qarabag, before hosting the return fixture at St James’ Park, where the atmosphere is expected to be ferocious.
The timing, however, is far from ideal. The play-off fixtures fall amid a congested February schedule that also includes a Premier League clash with Manchester City on February 21 and a home game against Everton on February 28.
Qarabag may be unfamiliar to many, but they are not to be underestimated. While they were thrashed 6-0 by Liverpool in the final round of the league phase, they also showed resilience by earning a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea earlier in the competition. Should Newcastle progress, they will face either Chelsea or Barcelona in the round of 16, a daunting but enticing prospect.
Benfica vs Real Madrid: Drama Reloaded
If Newcastle’s tie is historic, the headline clash of the play-offs belongs to Benfica and Real Madrid. The two sides met only days ago in the final league-phase match, a night that descended into chaos and drama at Estádio da Luz. Benfica needed a late goal to survive, and remarkably found it through goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who headed home in stoppage time against a nine-man Madrid side.
That defeat dropped Los Blancos into ninth place, forcing the 15-time champions of Europe into the play-offs, and straight back into the path of José Mourinho, who once again faces his former club.
Benfica have quietly enjoyed the upper hand in recent history, winning three of the last four European meetingsbetween the sides, including their famous triumph in the 1962 European Cup final.
For Madrid, the tie is about restoring authority. For Benfica, it’s another chance to prove they belong among Europe’s elite.
PSG, Juventus and Inter face tricky routes
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were unable to secure a top-eight finish after drawing at Newcastle in the final round and must now navigate a tricky all-French showdown with Monaco.
While familiar foes, domestic rivalries often bring unpredictability on the European stage, and Monaco will sense an opportunity to eliminate the holders. Juventus face a hostile test against Galatasaray, where the atmosphere in Istanbul could play a decisive role, while Inter Milan take on Bodo/Glimt, the Norwegian side that stunned Manchester City earlier in the league phase.
Elsewhere:
- Atletico Madrid meet Club Brugge
- Borussia Dortmund face Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen take on Olympiacos
Champions League Knockout Play-Off Draw (Full)
- Benfica vs Real Madrid
- Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan
- Monaco vs PSG
- Qarabag vs Newcastle
- Galatasaray vs Juventus
- Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
- Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
Who could English Clubs face in the Round of 16?
- Arsenal: Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Olympiacos or Bayer Leverkusen
- Manchester City: Benfica, Real Madrid, Bodo/Glimt or Inter Milan
- Chelsea: Qarabag, Newcastle, Monaco or PSG
- Liverpool / Tottenham: Galatasaray, Juventus, Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid
- Newcastle: Chelsea or Barcelona
Related Article: Joao Pedro double sends Chelsea into Champions League Last 16 as Napoli crash out in Naples
England on course for a fifth Champions League spot
English clubs’ strong European performances have all but guaranteed the Premier League a fifth Champions League place for next season. With five English teams already through to the last 16 and all nine Premier League representatives still alive across UEFA competitions, England sits comfortably at the top of UEFA’s coefficient rankings, ahead of Germany.
Newcastle themselves benefitted from the extra place last season. Once again, the door is open for another English side to capitalise.
Key Dates: 2025/26 Champions League Knockout Stages
- Play-off draw: January 30, 2026
- Knockout play-offs: February 17–18 & February 24–25, 2026
- Round of 16: March 10–11 & March 17–18, 2026
- Quarter-finals: April 7–8 & April 14–15, 2026
- Semi-finals: April 28–29 & May 5–6, 2026
- Final: Saturday, May 30, 2026
Where is the 2026 Champions League Final?
The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League final will be held at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary, on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
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