The Champions League play-offs have been confirmed as Newcastle United face a 5,000-mile round journey.
The Magpies will face the Azerbaijani side Qarabag in the Champions League knockout phase play-offs following today’s draw in Nyon, Switzerland.
Eddie Howe’s side, who finished 12th in the league phase standings, were paired with the 22nd-placed club from Baku.
They will travel away for the opening leg before hosting the return fixture at St James’ Park.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, must overcome Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in a rematch of their dramatic league phase encounter.
Los Blancos suffered a 4-2 defeat in Lisbon on Wednesday, a result that condemned the 15-time European champions to the play-off round rather than automatic qualification.
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin produced the extraordinary moment in the 98th minute, powering a header into the net.
Mourinho, who previously managed Madrid, was captured celebrating with his staff following the chaotic scenes.
The Champions League play-offs have been confirmed
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Five Premier League clubs have already secured their places in the last 16 without needing to navigate the play-off round.
Arsenal claimed top spot in the league phase after recording a flawless campaign, earning home advantage throughout the knockout stages.
Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City also progressed automatically, meaning they avoid the additional fixtures in February.
Newcastle were the sole English representative in today’s draw after their battling 1-1 stalemate away to holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday proved sufficient to claim a top-24 finish.
Five Premier League clubs have already secured their places in the last 16 without needing to navigate the play-off round
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The French champions themselves were among the notable sides forced into the play-offs alongside Inter Milan, Juventus and Atletico Madrid.
The draw format paired clubs based on their league phase positions, with teams finishing ninth to 16th seeded against those placed 17th to 24th.
Seeded sides will enjoy home advantage in the second leg of their ties.
The play-off matches are scheduled over two weeks, with first legs on February 17-18 and return fixtures on February 24-25.
Newcastle United face a 5,000-mile round journey
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Clubs progressing from these encounters will join the eight automatic qualifiers in the last 16.
The draw for subsequent rounds, including the quarter-finals and semi-finals, is set for February 27.
This season’s Champions League final will be staged in Budapest, Hungary on May 30.
