benfica - real madrid: Real Madrid win marred by alleged racist abuse of Vinícius Júnior

Real Madrid claimed a 1-0 first-leg victory at Benfica but the result was overshadowed when Vinícius Júnior halted play after alleging racist abuse. The incident, which followed his opening goal and celebration, provoked a lengthy stoppage, heated exchanges on the pitch and an outpouring of reaction from players and former professionals.

What happened during the match

Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring and celebrated before play was interrupted. He confronted a Benfica opponent and officials paused the game amid escalating tensions. The stoppage came after the player raised concerns of racial abuse aimed at him; players and staff from both sides remained on the field while referees and match delegates conferred. Play eventually resumed and Real Madrid held on for the 1-0 win.

The Real Madrid player received a yellow card for his celebration, a point he later questioned in a public statement. One exchange on the pitch involved Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni, with members of the visiting side saying they believed actions by that player contributed to the incident. The referee gave time for the situation to calm before the match continued.

Reactions on and off the field

Vinícius Júnior released a translated statement that described the abuse and criticised the response around it. He wrote that those who enact racist behaviour are "cowards" and argued that others had an obligation to punish such conduct. He also called the handling of the stoppage "a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. " He added that he did not want the headlines to focus on the incident after a big win but felt it was necessary to speak out.

Several figures connected to the game reacted strongly. A former midfield star said the episode highlighted the need for education and collective responsibility, calling for players, coaches and referees to better understand gestures and responses when abuse occurs. He described the moment as an educational process that the sport must embrace to protect the game.

Another former player now in coaching ranks urged a focus on fighting racism, emphasising that respect among players is essential. He noted that the club and its squad stood behind Vinícius and underlined the need to prioritise the battle against discriminatory behaviour before concentrating on football matters.

Liverpool full back Trent Alexander-Arnold condemned the episode as "a disgrace to football, " saying it overshadowed the team's performance and that there is no place for such conduct in the sport or society. He praised his colleagues for the way they handled a hostile environment and said the incident ruined what should have been a celebratory night.

José Mourinho, present at the ground, suggested the celebrations may have provoked some fans and acknowledged that exchanges occurred. He declined to take a definitive stance on the competing versions but remarked that such incidents happen in many stadiums and require careful handling.

Next steps and the wider context

European governing bodies are expected to investigate the stoppage and the allegations made by Vinícius Júnior. The first-leg result leaves the tie open ahead of the return fixtures, with second legs scheduled for Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 (ET).

Beyond the immediate competitive implications, the episode has reignited debate about how football deals with racist abuse in stadiums and what measures must be strengthened to prevent recurrence. Players, former stars and coaches have urged coordinated action to ensure matches remain focused on sport rather than discriminatory incidents.

For now, Real Madrid will take a narrow lead back to the second leg, but the match will be remembered less for the goal and more for the controversy that interrupted it and the calls for a firmer response to racism in the game.