Real Madrid Draws Benfica Again As Champions League Playoff Drama Builds

The Champions League playoff draw has thrown up a mouthwatering set of rematches, dramatic storylines, and plenty of intrigue for football fans across Europe. On January 30, 2026, in Nyon, Switzerland, the draw for the knockout phase playoffs was revealed, setting the stage for a February packed with must-watch ties. Real Madrid, denied direct qualification to the round of 16 after a stunning 4-2 defeat to Benfica just days earlier, will now have to face the Portuguese side again in a two-legged playoff that promises fireworks.

Few would have predicted this scenario for Madrid, a club with a record 15 European titles to its name. Entering their final league phase match in third place, Madrid needed only a draw to secure a spot among the top eight and claim direct passage to the round of 16. But football, as ever, had other plans. Benfica, managed by none other than former Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, pulled off a last-gasp victory in dramatic fashion. With the clock deep into added time and Benfica leading 3-2, Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin surged forward for a corner and powered home a header in the eighth minute of stoppage time. That goal not only sealed a 4-2 win but also catapulted Benfica into the playoffs on goal difference, leaving Madrid to lick their wounds and regroup.

"It was a moment of pure belief and courage," Mourinho said after the match, his words echoing through the Bernabeu. The Portuguese tactician, a two-time Champions League winner, now returns to his old stomping ground with a chance to inflict more pain on his former employers. Madrid, meanwhile, are still adjusting to life under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso just last month. The pressure is on for Arbeloa to steady the ship and steer Los Blancos back to European glory, but the task won’t be easy with Mourinho plotting from the opposite dugout.

The stakes are just as high for defending champions Paris Saint-Germain. PSG, who lifted the Champions League trophy in thrilling style last season, found themselves unable to secure automatic qualification and must now navigate a tricky all-French playoff against Monaco. The Parisians are heavy favorites on paper—Monaco sits nine places and 21 points behind them in Ligue 1—but the unpredictability of knockout football means nothing can be taken for granted. PSG’s route to last year’s title also passed through the playoffs, so fans will be hoping for a repeat of that resilient run.

But perhaps the most captivating story of this season’s competition belongs to Norwegian minnows Bodø/Glimt. Making their debut in European club soccer’s biggest competition, they’ve already stunned Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in back-to-back upsets to reach this stage. Their reward? A daunting clash with last year’s beaten finalists, Inter Milan. Can Bodø/Glimt continue their fairy tale and topple another giant? The football world will be watching with bated breath.

Elsewhere, Newcastle United, having secured a 12th-place finish in the league phase thanks to a gritty draw against PSG, faces Qarabag—the first Azerbaijani club to reach the competition’s knockout rounds. Eddie Howe’s side may have landed on the more favorable side of the bracket, but a potential round of 16 tie with Chelsea or Barcelona looms if they get through. Borussia Dortmund will take on Atalanta, while Galatasaray faces Juventus in a battle of European heavyweights. The other confirmed ties are Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid and Olympiakos vs. Bayer Leverkusen, each with its own subplot and potential for upsets.

For those keeping an eye on the Europa League, the playoff draw also delivered some enticing matchups. Nottingham Forest will travel to Istanbul to face Fenerbahce, Scottish champions Celtic are set for a tricky tie against Stuttgart, and Lille will lock horns with Red Star Belgrade. Spanish side Celta Vigo faces Greek outfit PAOK, and further ties include Ludogorets vs. Ferencvaros, Panathinaikos vs. Viktoria Plzen, and GNK Dinamo Zagreb hosting Genk. Bologna will take on SK Brann to round out the action.

Looking ahead, the first legs of the Champions League playoffs are scheduled for February 17-18, with the return fixtures set for February 24-25. The winners of these two-legged ties will advance to the round of 16, joining an elite group of teams that secured automatic qualification: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon, and Manchester City. The round of 16 draw is scheduled for Friday, February 27, promising another round of high-stakes drama and fresh narratives.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, the January transfer window is adding another layer of intrigue. With the deadline set for February 2, clubs across Europe are weighing their options. Regis le Bris, speaking about his own club’s approach to the market, summed up the mood: "I won’t comment on specific players. The January market is a lot of conversations and not many deals in the end. We don’t need to rush anything. We are happy with our squad. If we can reinforce our squad, then we will try. It’s possible. The end of the market is always more active." His words capture the uncertainty and anticipation that define this time of year, as managers and fans alike wonder if a last-minute signing could tip the scales in their favor.

So, what does all this mean for the teams and their supporters? For Real Madrid, the challenge is clear: regroup, refocus, and find a way past a Benfica side brimming with confidence and led by a coach who knows the Bernabeu inside out. For PSG, it’s about proving that last season’s triumph was no fluke and that they have the resilience to go the distance again. For Bodø/Glimt, the dream continues, and for clubs like Newcastle and Juventus, the playoffs offer a shot at redemption or, perhaps, a springboard to something special.

With the fixtures set, the narratives written, and the stage prepared, European football fans can look forward to a February packed with drama, surprises, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s Mourinho’s return to Madrid, PSG’s title defense, or Bodø/Glimt’s quest for another upset, the Champions League playoffs are shaping up to be a spectacle not to be missed. All eyes now turn to February, where legends will be made and dreams will be dashed in the relentless pursuit of continental glory.