prestianni exchange sparks stoppage as Vinicius' winner hands Real Madrid a 1-0 lead
Real Madrid secured a 1-0 advantage in the Champions League play-off first leg at the Estadio da Luz, but the match was overshadowed when an on-field confrontation involving Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni prompted Vinicius Junior to allege racial abuse and leave the pitch with his team-mates, producing a lengthy stoppage.
Brilliant strike, booking and a dramatic stoppage
Vinicius Junior produced the decisive moment in the 50th minute with a superb curling strike that beat goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin and put the visitors ahead. The Brazil forward was subsequently shown a yellow card for what the referee judged an excessive celebration. That booking preceded a heated exchange between Vinicius and Benfica's 20-year-old Gianluca Prestianni, after which Vinicius ran to referee Francois Letexier and indicated the confrontation.
The referee made the crossed-arms gesture now used to signal racist abuse, and Real Madrid's players walked off the field. Play was stopped for roughly 10–11 minutes before the match resumed in the 60th minute. The contest finished 1-0 to Real after an extended spell of added time, during which an object thrown from the crowd struck Vinicius on the arm as he prepared to take a corner.
On the pitch before that decisive strike, both teams had created moments. A defence-splitting pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold set up an effort that narrowly missed for Real, while Benfica tested Thibaut Courtois with a powerful drive from Fredrik Aursnes. Kylian Mbappe came close to connecting with an Alexander-Arnold delivery and was denied by the woodwork and the opposing keeper at different moments, but Real's winner ultimately settled the first leg.
Allegations, denials and reaction
Vinicius publicly condemned the episode after the match, saying that racism is a recurring problem in his life and condemning those he called cowards. He also questioned the handling of the situation by match officials, noting he had been booked for his celebration and describing the protocol as ineffective in that instance.
Prestianni has denied using a racial slur, stating the Madrid player misinterpreted what he heard and insisting he was never racist. The Portugal-based match saw tensions remain high throughout the second half; Benfica manager Jose Mourinho received two yellow cards late in the game and will be suspended for the return fixture.
The use of the referee's crossed-arms signal—a protocol introduced in international football to address alleged racist abuse—was central to the stoppage. Real Madrid's squad briefly threatened to abandon the match before play resumed, highlighting ongoing debate over how anti-racism rules are enforced in high-profile fixtures.
Looking ahead: return leg and wider implications
The tie now moves to the Santiago Bernabeu for the return leg on Wednesday, February 25 at 3: 00 PM ET. Benfica will aim to overturn the one-goal deficit on home soil, while Real must manage the aftermath of the stoppage and the emotional toll on players. Mourinho's suspension adds an additional tactical wrinkle for the hosts.
Beyond this particular tie, the incident has reignited conversations about stadium behaviour, crowd control and the effectiveness of in-game protocols meant to deter and punish racist incidents. Governing bodies and clubs face pressure to clarify procedures so that allegations can be addressed swiftly while maintaining the integrity of matches.
For now, Real Madrid travel back to the Spanish capital with a slender lead and a spotlight on the events in Lisbon that interrupted what was otherwise a tightly contested European night.
