Champions League Play-Offs Set: Real Madrid vs Benfica, Newcastle Faces Qarabag
The Champions League play-offs are officially set and the matchups promise drama right from the start. In one of the most talked-about fixtures, Real Madrid will face Benfica, just weeks after a thrilling league encounter. That game, decided by a last-minute goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, saw Jose Mourinho’s side snatch a 4-2 victory and now both teams will meet again with a spot in the last 16 on the line.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United, finishing 12th in the league phase, will take on Azerbaijan’s Qarabag, who ended their phase in 22nd place. Qarabag has struggled against top European competition, including a heavy 6-0 defeat at Anfield against Liverpool, but they did manage a notable 2-2 draw against Chelsea last November. The winner of this tie will then face either Chelsea or Barcelona in the last 16, meaning Newcastle could be just a few matches away from a high-stakes showdown with one of Europe’s elite clubs.
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Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain also face a tough test, meeting Ligue 1 rivals Monaco in a play-off that could dramatically shape the knockout rounds. The two-legged play-offs, scheduled for 17-18 February and 24-25 February, are crucial because they determine which teams advance to the last 16, where the top eight league finishers—Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham—are already waiting.
The stakes extend beyond just advancing. This season, league phase rankings now influence seeding all the way through the quarter-finals and semi-finals. That means teams finishing higher have the advantage of playing their decisive second legs at home. For clubs like Real Madrid or PSG, who stumbled in the league phase, these play-offs are a chance to reset and make a deep run in the tournament.
The culmination of this season will be at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on 30 May and the path to the final is shaping up to be unpredictable. Lower-ranked teams now have real opportunities to upset established giants and every goal could dramatically alter the seeding and knockout matchups.
For fans worldwide, these matches are must-watch events. From dramatic last-minute goals to potential underdog stories, the Champions League is entering a critical phase where momentum, strategy and resilience will define who makes it to the knockout stages. Stay with us for ongoing updates, in-depth analysis and complete coverage as Europe’s top clubs battle for glory.
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