Wednesday, 25 February 2026| United Arab Emirates| Post Time 3:37 pm
The most prestigious stage of European football is calling. This week, the Champions League Round of 16 field will be fully set as the final play-off matches reach their climax across the continent.
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Champions League Round of 16; Final Slots and Draw Details Revealed
The race for the Champions League Round of 16 has reached its boiling point. Tonight, the second legs of the knockout play-offs will determine which eight teams will join the elite group of seeded clubs already waiting in the next round. From the tactical battle in Bergamo to the high-voltage clash at the Bernabéu, the UCL 2025-26 knockout play-off results tonight will complete the puzzle for the remainder of the season.
Atalanta vs Dortmund; The Opening Clash
Borussia Dortmund travels to Italy defending a two-goal cushion.
The evening kicks off in Bergamo where Atalanta aims to overturn a deficit against a disciplined German side.
- UAE Time: 9:45 PM (Wednesday).
- Aggregate Status: Dortmund 2 – 0 Atalanta.
- Match Note: Dortmund is the favorite to advance, but a strong start from the Italians could complicate their path to the Champions League Round of 16.
Real Madrid vs Benfica; High Stakes at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid looks to protect a narrow 1-0 lead amidst high tension.
The Real Madrid vs Benfica second leg update is the headline news of the night. Following a controversial first leg in Lisbon, the Spanish giants host the Portuguese side in Madrid.
- Time: 12:00 AM UAE Time (Thursday).
- Star Watch: Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé lead the attack as Madrid aims to secure their Champions League Round of 16 ticket.
- The Challenge: Benfica previously defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in the league phase, proving they have the firepower to cause an upset.
PSG vs Monaco; A French Civil War
Domestic rivals clash on the European stage with PSG holding a slim advantage.
Paris Saint-Germain hosts Monaco in a match that promises goals, following their five goal thriller in the first leg.
- Current Score: PSG 3 – 2 Monaco (Aggregate).
- Outlook: PSG is the defending champion, but Monaco’s attacking flair means this UCL 2025-26 knockout play-off results could still surprise the fans at the Parc des Princes.
Juventus vs Galatasaray; Chasing a Miracle
The Italian giants need a historic performance to avoid an early exit.
Perhaps the most shocking of the UCL 2025-26 knockout play-off results so far was Juventus’ 5-2 loss in Turkey.
- The Goal: Juventus must win by at least three goals tonight to have any hope of entering the Champions League Round of 16.
- Opposition: Galatasaray is expected to defend deep to protect their massive three-goal advantage.
List of Qualified Teams for UCL 2025-26
An overview of the clubs that have already secured their place in the next round.
The following clubs are already waiting for their opponents in the draw:
- Seeded Teams: Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham (England), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Sporting CP (Portugal).
- Already Qualified via Play-offs: Newcastle United ,, Atlético Madrid, Bodø/Glimt, and Bayer Leverkusen.
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The Road to Budapest; Round of 16 Draw Details
Everything you need to know about the upcoming draw ceremony in Nyon.
Once tonight’s matches conclude, all eyes will shift to the official ceremony.
- Champions League draw date February 2026: Friday, February 27.
- Match Dates: The first legs are scheduled for March 10-11, with return legs on March 17-18, 2026.
Potential Quarter Final Path and Fixtures
A look at the possible matchups as teams progress toward the final stages of the tournament.
- 1: Monaco (FRA) or Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) vs. Barcelona (ESP) or Chelsea (ENG)
- 2: Galatasaray (TUR) or Juventus (ITA) vs. Liverpool (ENG) or Tottenham Hotspur (ENG)
- 3: Benfica (POR) or Real Madrid (ESP) vs. Sporting CP (POR) or Manchester City (ENG)
- 4: Borussia Dortmund (GER) or Atalanta (ITA) vs. Arsenal (ENG) or Bayern Munich (GER)
- 5: Newcastle United (ENG) vs. Chelsea (ENG) or Barcelona (ESP)
- 6: Atlético Madrid (ESP) vs. Tottenham Hotspur (ENG) or Liverpool (ENG)
- 7: Bodø/Glimt (NOR) vs. Manchester City (ENG) or Sporting CP (POR)
- 8: Bayer Leverkusen (GER) vs. Bayern Munich (GER) or Arsenal (ENG)
Conclusion
UCL 2025-26 knockout play-off results being finalized tonight, the path to European glory becomes clearer. Stay tuned for the Champions League draw date February 2026 to see which giants will face off in the most anticipated matches of the spring.
FAQ
1. When is the Champions League Round of 16 draw date 2026? The draw takes place this Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:00 AM UK time (3:00 PM UAE time).
2. Which teams have already joined the qualified teams for UCL 2025-26? Clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barcelona are already through as seeded teams. Newcastle and Atlético Madrid recently joined them via play-offs.
3. What happens if Real Madrid vs Benfica ends in a one-goal win for Benfica? If the aggregate score is tied after 90 minutes, the match will go into extra time and potentially a penalty shootout.
4. When will the actual Champions League Round of 16 matches be played? The matches are set for mid-March, specifically on the 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th of March 2026.
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