PSG and Benfica, possible Champions League last 16 opponents

FC Barcelona have been able to watch this week's Champions League playoffs safe in the knowledge that their own place in the last 16 is already assured. We still don't know who Barça will be playing, but the original four possibilities have now been whittled down to two: PSG or Benfica.

One of those two clubs will be playing the Catalans, while the other will have the similarly daunting challenge of facing Premiership leaders Liverpool.

PSG sail through

PSG made light work of their all-French playoff against Brest, with a 3-0 win in the first leg in Brittany leaving them with a foot and a half in the next round before a ball was even kicked in Wednesday's second leg. In Paris Luis Enrique's team sealed their place in the last 16 with an emphatic 7-0 win. 

Epic win for Benfica

The other possible opponent, Benfica, reached the last 16 in the most dramatic of circumstances. Having won the first leg 1-0 with a goal from Pavlidis, the same man who netted a hat-trick against Barça in the league phase, the Portuguese side were nicely set up for the home leg, especially after Aktürkoğlu earned them an early lead in that game as well. But it turned out to be anything but an easy ride.

Monaco hit back with goals from Minamino and Ben Seghirto level up the tie, and although Benfica restored their lead from the penalty spot, Ilenikhena then put Monaco ahead again, meaning the game was headed for extra time. But a late goal from Kokcu snatched the win for Benfica, and they now have a 50% possibility of meeting Barça for the second time in the competition.

Home advantage in second leg

Whoever they face, Barça will be playing the first leg of their last 16 tie away from home, either at the Parc des Princes or the Stadium of Light on March 4 or 5. The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys will be hosting the second leg a week later on March 11 or 12.