Who will Real Madrid face in the knockout round of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League?

Real Madrid have been drawn against Benfica in the knockout stages of the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League Playoff match after the draw on Friday.

The Alvaro Arbeloa-led side had lost 2-4 to the Portuguese team in their last league match, which saw them slip out of the top eight of the standings.

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a header in the 98th minute, allowing the Jose Mourinho-coached side to move into the top 24 on goal difference.

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Real had started the match comfortably in the top eight and would have progressed even with a 3-2 defeat. Trubin’s goal proved to be the stumbling block for the fifteen-time UCL winner.

Benfica will host the opening match at home in Lisbon at the Estadio da Luz before making the trip to Santiago Bernabeu for the return.

Published on January 30, 2026