Real Madrid drawn to face Benfica in Champions League playoff after group-stage loss
The draw paired Real Madrid with Benfica, managed by former Madrid coach José Mourinho, after the Portuguese club's dramatic 4-2 victory Wednesday forced Madrid into the playoff round.
January 30, 2026
The Champions League playoff draw, held Friday, paired Real Madrid with Benfica in a rematch that will determine one team's path to the round of 16. The matchup comes four days after Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in the final round of the league phase on Wednesday in Lisbon.
Real Madrid's loss to Benfica prevented the Spanish club from securing direct qualification to the knockout stage and forced it into the playoff round. Benfica advanced to the playoffs in dramatic fashion when goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a header in the 98th minute, a goal that lifted the Portuguese side from 25th to 24th place in the standings by goal differential, narrowly avoiding elimination.
The playoff matchup reunites Real Madrid with José Mourinho, who managed the Spanish club from 2010 to 2013. Mourinho has been Benfica's manager during the current campaign.
Real Madrid's defeat in Lisbon prompted public frustration from the club's star player Kylian Mbappé, according to reports. The loss also raised questions about the future of Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa, who took over at the start of January replacing Xabi Alonso.
The playoff draw also produced other notable pairings: Paris Saint-Germain will face Monaco, Newcastle will meet Qarabag, Juventus will play Galatasaray, Atlético Madrid will face Club Brugge, Borussia Dortmund will meet Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen will play Olympiacos.
The first-leg matches are scheduled for February 17 and 18, with the return legs set for February 24 and 25.