prestianni Allegation Halts Benfica vs Real Madrid as Vinicius' Goal Sparks Protest
Real Madrid earned a 1-0 victory at Benfica, but the result was overshadowed when the game was halted in Lisbon after Vinicius Junior told the referee he had been racially abused during an exchange with Benfica winger Gianluca prestianni. The stoppage, which lasted roughly 10–11 minutes, saw Real players leave the field before play resumed and the visitors held on to their slender away lead.
What unfolded at the Estadio da Luz
The Brazil forward produced a moment of excellence in the 50th minute, curling a superb strike past Anatoliy Trubin to give Real the lead. Vinicius then received a yellow card for an exuberant celebration, and shortly after was involved in a confrontation with prestianni. Vinicius ran to the referee and indicated he had been subjected to racist language; match officials halted the game and signalled the anti-racism protocol.
Players from both sides moved to the touchline, and Real briefly left the pitch in protest. The stoppage lasted around 10–11 minutes before the referee allowed play to continue. The remainder of the match was contested fiercely, with Real seldom allowing Benfica dangerous chances after the goal. During extended stoppage time, an object thrown from the crowd struck Vinicius on the arm as he prepared to take a corner, further inflaming tensions in the stands and on the pitch.
The stoppage and the anti-racism protocol
The referee used the crossed-arms gesture to indicate alleged racist abuse, activating the established anti-racism steps that can lead to announcements to the crowd, temporary suspension and, if necessary, abandonment of the match. Officials paused play, engaged with the players and communicated with stadium staff before resuming the game. The gesture itself was introduced internationally last year as part of efforts to give referees a clear tool to respond to racist incidents on the field.
After the restart, Real defended their narrow advantage amid confrontations and a tense atmosphere. Benfica manager Jose Mourinho received two yellow cards late in the game and will be absent from the touchline for the return leg in Madrid. prestianni has denied directing a racist slur, saying the incident was a misunderstanding; Vinicius has condemned the abuse and called out the broader problem of racism in football.
Consequences and what’s next
Refereeing decisions and the pause in play will now be subject to review by competition authorities. Disciplinary panels typically examine match incidents including player conduct, crowd behaviour and compliance with anti-racism protocols. The throw from the crowd that struck Vinicius and the interaction between players are likely to draw scrutiny as part of any investigation.
The two sides meet again at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, February 25 (3: 00 PM ET) for the return leg, with Benfica needing to overturn the 1-0 deficit. Beyond the result, the fixture has lit a fresh debate about how effectively clubs, officials and governing bodies handle allegations of racial abuse during high-profile games. Players, managers and governing bodies now face pressure to ensure clear outcomes and to reinforce measures that protect players on and off the pitch.
For now, the winning goal and the stoppage dominate the narrative coming out of Lisbon: a match that combined top-level finishing with an on-field incident that could have lasting repercussions for those involved and for the competitions tasked with policing such behaviour.
