Who Real Madrid Are Facing in the 2025–26 Champions League Knockout Playoff

Real Madrid missed out on automatic progression to the last 16.

Real Madrid have made life difficult for themselves in Europe. | PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP/Getty Images

The hunt for a record-extending 16th Champions League title continues for Real Madrid as they prepare for another meeting with Benfica in the knockout playoffs

Madrid appeared set to automatically progress to the last 16 after they began the final round of fixtures in third place, but their dismal 4–2 defeat to José Mourinho’s side means they will have to duke it out in the playoffs after slipping out of the top eight entirely.

Friday’s draw offered up the possibility of an immediate reunion between the two sides, and fate did not disappoint as Madrid were drawn up against Benfica in February’s playoffs.

Los Blancos can never be written off in European competition, though, but their slip-up means they must now face two unwanted fixtures which will be added to an already tiring calendar.

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Real Madrid’s Champions League Knockout Playoff Opponents

Real Madrid will have to face Benfica again. | Patricia de Melo Moreira/AFP/Getty Images

The possibility of facing Norwegian giants Bodø/Glimt was there for Madrid, but Friday’s draw offered up the nightmare outcome for Álvaro Arbeloa’s side.

Their reward for a 4–2 defeat to Benfica? Another two-legged tie against Benfica.

Despite dominating possession in their league phase finale, Madrid were well off the pace and deservedly beaten by a Benfica side who needed a 98th-minute header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to sneak into the playoffs with the final kick of the round.

Madrid must now dust themselves off and forget about what was a crushing defeat, but their job has been made even more complicated by the dismissals of both Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo in the last game between these two sides. Both will serve one-game suspensions for the first leg in Portugal.

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When Is the Champions League Knockout Playoff Round?

Arbeloa’s side do not have long to lick their wounds from their brutal defeat at Estádio da Luz and they will have to make another trip to the famous venue for the first leg on Feb. 17/18.

Thanks to their status as the seeded team, Madrid were handed the advantage of playing the return fixture in front of their home fans at the Bernabéu. That game is scheduled for the following week on Feb. 24/25.

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