Champions League draw: Newcastle to face Qarabag, Real Madrid to face Benfica

Newcastle will face Qarabağ in a two-legged play-off to advance to the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Magpies moved into 12th place after drawing 1-1 with reigning champions Paris St-Germain in the league stage on Wednesday.

PSG, who finished in 11th place, will face Monaco, while 15-time European champion Real Madrid will again face former coach Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s goal in the 98th minute gave Benfica a 4-2 victory against the Spanish giants on Wednesday.

Play-offs are for teams that finish between 9th and 24th in the league stage.

The first matches will be played on February 17-18, and the rematches will be played a week later.

Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary will host the 2025-26 final on May 30.