Champions League Shock Draw: Newcastle Take on Qarabag, Real Madrid Face Benfica Drama Rematch

The draw for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League knockout play-offs has set up an intriguing lineup of fixtures, with teams battling for a place in the round of 16.

Newcastle United have been drawn against Qarabag, marking their first-ever participation in the knockout rounds of European competition.

The Magpies will make a 5,000-mile journey to Azerbaijan for the first leg on February 17 or 18, before hosting the return leg at St James’ Park on February 24 or 25 as a seeded team.

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The tie adds to Newcastle’s busy February schedule, coming ahead of Premier League fixtures against Manchester City (Feb 21) and Everton (Feb 28).

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Qarabag were heavily beaten 6-0 by Liverpool in the final league phase match but did manage a 2-2 home draw against Chelsea earlier in the group stage. Should Newcastle advance, they could face Chelsea or Barcelona in the round of 16.

Benfica and Real Madrid will face each other once more following a dramatic conclusion to their league phase encounter.

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Benfica secured their place in the play-offs thanks to a last-minute headed goal by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, despite leading 3-2 against a nine-man Real Madrid side. The result condemned Real Madrid to ninth place, forcing them into an additional play-off tie.

Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) also settled for a play-off spot after a draw with Newcastle and will face an all-French clash against Monaco. Other key play-off matchups include:

• Juventus vs Galatasaray

• Inter Milan vs Bodo/Glimt

• Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge

• Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

• Bayer Leverkusen vs Olympiacos

Full Champions League Knockout Play-Off Draw:

• Benfica vs Real Madrid

• Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan

• Monaco vs PSG

• Qarabag vs Newcastle

• Galatasaray vs Juventus

• Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

• Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta

• Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen

Potential Round of 16 Opponents for English Clubs:

• Arsenal – Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Olympiacos, or Leverkusen

• Manchester City – Benfica, Real Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, or Inter

• Chelsea – Qarabag, Newcastle, Monaco, or PSG

• Liverpool/Tottenham – Galatasaray, Juventus, Club Brugge, or Atletico Madrid

• Newcastle – Chelsea or Barcelona

The first legs of the knockout play-offs are scheduled for February 17-18, with the second legs taking place February 24-25.