Real Madrid secured a slender but hard‑fought 1–0 victory away at Benfica in a Champions League playoff first‑leg that was overshadowed by a heated racial abuse allegation involving winger Vinicius Junior, a temporary stoppage of play, and a late sending‑off for Benfica manager Jose Mourinho.
What should have been a standard European night turned into a fraught spectacle in Lisbon when Vinicius produced the decisive moment, but celebrations and an ensuing confrontation dominated headlines long after the final whistle.
The opening 45 minutes were largely cagey, with both sides probing carefully and prioritizing structure over wild attacking abandon.
Benfica tried to unsettle Real Madrid early by pressing high and forcing turnovers in compact midfield areas, but Madrid’s build‑up was methodical. Real Madrid held more possession, roughly 59% compared to Benfica’s 41%, and looked the more likely to carve out openings as the half wore on, particularly through quick combinations involving Vinicius on the left flank and Kylian Mbappe central inside the box.
Despite a handful of encouraging moves for both sides, including a strong save from Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin to deny a long‑range effort, the half ended goalless, preserving tension as the match headed into the break.
Just five minutes after the restart, Real Madrid broke the deadlock in stunning fashion.
In the 50th minute, Vinicius, assisted by Mbappe, cut inside from the left and unleashed a curling effort into the top corner, a finish described by commentators as “unstoppable.”
As the ball hit the net, Vinícius celebrated by dancing near the corner flag, a trademark move that unfortunately triggered a volatile response.
Moments later, an angry confrontation unfolded. Benfica’s Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni appeared to say something to Vinícius while covering his mouth with his jersey. The Brazilian pointed toward him and immediately ran to report the incident to referee François Letexier.
Letexier responded by activating FIFA’s anti‑racism protocol, signaling with crossed arms and halting play for approximately 10 minutes. Players from both teams, staff, and coaching personnel crowded the centre circle as officials sought clarity.
Vinícius, visibly distressed, sat on the Madrid bench during the stoppage, surrounded by teammates and Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who offered comfort and support.
The Portuguese side’s crowd jeered loudly whenever Vinícius touched the ball after play resumed, adding to the combustible atmosphere inside the Estádio da Luz.
The intensity of the contest did not subside. In the 85th minute, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was shown a red card after a second yellow for dissent, a decision that compounded the night’s tension and ensures he will miss the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Benfica continued to push for an equalizer in the closing stages, with substitute Heorhii Sudakov earning a late yellow for a tactical foul on Vinicius as the hosts searched for a breakthrough, but Real Madrid held firm until the final whistle.
12 minutes of stoppage time was played, largely due to the mid‑match delay and heated closing phases, but the score remained Benfica 0, Real Madrid 1.
The match will certainly be remembered as much for what transpired off the ball as on it.
Vinicius later posted a powerful statement on social media, declaring: “Racists are, above all, cowards… Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team’s life.” He criticized the execution of the anti‑racism protocol and expressed frustration that the focus was diverted from the victory.
Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni denied making racist remarks, saying on social media that he “was never racist with anyone” and regretted threats he received following the incident. The club also shared footage to suggest that Madrid players may have misinterpreted the exchange.
Real Madrid’s teammates reacted strongly. Defender Trent Alexander‑Arnold called the situation “a disgrace to football,” while Mbappe accused Prestianni of using a racial slur and expressed frustration at the hostile atmosphere.
UEFA has confirmed it is reviewing official match reports and the incident, as disciplinary proceedings are expected to follow.
Real Madrid takes a narrow advantage back to Spain ahead of the second leg at the Bernabéu, where they will be favorites to close out the tie. Despite the controversy, Madrid’s experience in tight European settings showed as they managed the lead through a tense final phase.
For Benfica, the result is disappointing on the scoreboard, but they will gain belief from their overall performance, and they will have the home crowd behind them for the second leg.
This was a Champions League night that combined high‑stakes football with deep societal issues. Vinicius brilliant strike secured the win for Real Madrid, but the allegations and ensuing stoppage exposed ongoing challenges the sport still faces around racism. As UEFA now investigates, the focus will be on both sporting and ethical outcomes from a match that was far more than just 90 minutes of football.
