SL Benfica concluded their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign following a hard-fought journey through the newly implemented league phase and the initial knockout rounds. The Portuguese giants finished the league phase in 24th position, securing the final available spot for the knockout phase play-offs. Their journey ultimately ended in February 2026 after an aggregate defeat to Real Madrid.

Final Position and Campaign Summary

In the 2025/26 edition of the UEFA Champions League, which featured the 36-team single league format, Benfica struggled to maintain consistency against elite European opposition. Out of their eight league phase matches, the Eagles secured three victories and suffered five defeats, finishing with 9 points. This performance placed them at the very edge of qualification, as they occupied the 24th spot—the last position that grants entry into the knockout phase play-offs.

Following the league phase, Benfica faced Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in a two-legged play-off tie. Despite a spirited performance in the home leg, they were eliminated with a 3–1 aggregate scoreline.

Full 2025/26 UEFA Champions League League Phase Standings

The following table illustrates the final standings of the league phase, highlighting Benfica's position relative to the rest of the 36-team field.

Rank Club Matches Played Won Drawn Lost Goals For/Against Goal Diff. Points
1 Arsenal 8 8 0 0 23:4 +19 24
2 Bayern München 8 7 0 1 22:8 +14 21
3 Liverpool 8 6 0 2 20:8 +12 18
4 Tottenham Hotspur 8 5 2 1 17:7 +10 17
5 Barcelona 8 5 1 2 22:14 +8 16
6 Chelsea 8 5 1 2 17:10 +7 16
7 Sporting CP 8 5 1 2 17:11 +6 16
8 Manchester City 8 5 1 2 15:9 +6 16
9 Real Madrid 8 5 0 3 21:12 +9 15
10 Inter Milan 8 5 0 3 15:7 +8 15
11 Paris Saint-Germain 8 4 2 2 21:11 +10 14
12 Newcastle United 8 4 2 2 17:7 +10 14
13 Juventus 8 3 4 1 14:10 +4 13
14 Atlético Madrid 8 4 1 3 17:15 +2 13
15 Atalanta 8 4 1 3 10:10 0 13
16 Bayer Leverkusen 8 3 3 2 13:14 -1 12
17 Borussia Dortmund 8 3 2 3 19:17 +2 11
18 Olympiacos 8 3 2 3 10:14 -4 11
19 Club Brugge 8 3 1 4 15:17 -2 10
20 Galatasaray 8 3 1 4 9:11 -2 10
21 AS Monaco 8 2 4 2 8:14 -6 10
22 Qarabağ 8 3 1 4 13:21 -8 10
23 Bodø/Glimt 8 2 3 3 14:15 -1 9
24 SL Benfica 8 3 0 5 10:12 -2 9
25 Marseille 8 3 0 5 11:14 -3 9
26 Pafos 8 2 3 3 8:11 -3 9
27 Union SG 8 3 0 5 8:17 -9 9
28 PSV Eindhoven 8 2 2 4 16:16 0 8
29 Athletic Club 8 2 2 4 9:14 -5 8
30 Napoli 8 2 2 4 9:15 -6 8
31 Copenhagen 8 2 2 4 12:21 -9 8
32 Ajax 8 2 0 6 8:21 -13 6
33 Eintracht Frankfurt 8 1 1 6 10:21 -11 4
34 Slavia Prague 8 0 3 5 5:19 -14 3
35 Villarreal 8 0 1 7 5:18 -13 1
36 Kairat Almaty 8 0 1 7 7:22 -15 1

Performance Breakdown in the League Phase

The 2025/26 season was characterized by the high intensity of the new format. Benfica's journey was a mixture of defensive resilience and offensive struggles against top-tier opponents.

Wins and Successes

Benfica managed to secure three vital wins during the league phase. These victories were crucial in keeping them ahead of teams like Marseille and Union SG, who also finished with 9 points but had inferior goal differences or head-to-head metrics. The ability to grind out results against mid-table European clubs ensured that the "Glorioso" remained in contention for the knockout stages until the final matchday.

Defeats and Challenges

The five defeats suffered by the team highlighted the gap between the Portuguese side and the current elite of European football. Defeats against teams positioned in the top 12 of the standings made it difficult for Benfica to secure a "seeded" position for the play-offs. With a final goal difference of -2 (10 goals scored and 12 conceded), the team struggled to find a consistent goal-scoring threat throughout the winter months.

Tie-break Scenarios

It is noteworthy that Benfica finished level on points (9) with Marseille, Pafos, and Union Saint-Gilloise. Under UEFA's tie-break regulations for the league phase, the goal difference and total goals scored played a pivotal role. Benfica's -2 goal difference was just enough to pip Marseille (-3) and Union SG (-9) for the final 24th spot.

The Knockout Phase Play-off: Benfica vs. Real Madrid

By finishing 24th, Benfica was designated as an "unseeded" team for the knockout phase play-off draw. This meant they were guaranteed to face one of the teams that finished between 9th and 16th in the league phase. The draw resulted in a challenging fixture against Real Madrid, who had finished 9th.

First Leg: Estádio da Luz

The first leg took place in Lisbon, where Benfica managed to pull off a stunning 4–2 victory on January 29, 2026. This result provided a glimmer of hope for the Portuguese fans, showcasing the team's potential when playing at home.

Second Leg: Santiago Bernabéu

However, the return leg in Madrid on February 25, 2026, proved to be a bridge too far. Real Madrid overturned the deficit with a dominant performance, securing a victory that brought the aggregate score to 3–1 in favor of the Spanish side (accounting for the revised tournament progression metrics). Benfica's elimination was confirmed, ending their European aspirations for the season.

Impact on UEFA Club Rankings

Despite the early exit in the knockout play-offs, Benfica's participation in the 2025/26 Champions League had a positive impact on their long-term standing in European football.

By qualifying for the league phase and participating in the knockout rounds, the club accumulated significant coefficient points. As of August 2025, the club had already climbed into the top 10 of the UEFA Club Rankings based on their performance over the previous five seasons. This ranking is essential for future draws, as it determines seeding pots for the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. Benfica remains the highest-ranked club in Portugal, consistently outperforming domestic rivals in European coefficient accumulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Benfica's final position in the 2025/26 Champions League?

Benfica finished in 24th place during the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

How many points did Benfica get in the Champions League league phase?

Benfica earned 9 points from 8 matches, resulting from 3 wins and 5 losses.

Who knocked Benfica out of the 2025/26 Champions League?

Benfica was eliminated by Real Madrid in the knockout phase play-offs with a 3–1 aggregate score.

Is Benfica still playing in the Champions League?

No, as of April 2026, Benfica's campaign has concluded. The tournament has proceeded to the semi-final stages without them.

Summary of the Campaign

The 2025/26 Champions League was a season of transition and survival for SL Benfica. While finishing 24th in the league phase was below the club's historical standards, reaching the knockout play-offs ensured they remained part of the European elite. The victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the play-offs stands as the highlight of the season, even if the subsequent elimination was disappointing. Looking ahead, the club's strong UEFA ranking will provide a solid foundation for the 2026/27 season as they aim to return to the round of 16 and beyond.