benfica - real madrid: Match halted over alleged racist abuse as Real Madrid hold on to 1-0 win
Real Madrid secured a 1-0 first-leg victory at Benfica on a night dominated by an episode of alleged racist abuse that forced a stoppage in play. Vinícius Júnior scored the match’s only goal but was at the centre of a controversial incident after celebrating, prompting protests from the visiting side and intense post-match reaction.
Match events and the stoppage
The decisive moment arrived when Vinícius Júnior produced a fine finish to give Real Madrid the lead. His celebration sparked a confrontation with Benfica youngster Gianluca Prestianni, during which words were exchanged and a gesture—covering the mouth with a shirt—was noted by teammates and officials. Vinícius raised a complaint to the referee about alleged racist remarks, and play was halted while players and staff attempted to calm the situation.
The referee issued Vinícius a yellow card for his celebration, a decision that drew criticism from the visitors. The stoppage lasted long enough for captains and coaching staff to confer, and the home crowd grew increasingly agitated. After the break in play, the game resumed and Real Madrid held on defensively to take a slender advantage into the return leg.
Reaction, statements and what happens next
In a strong post-match statement, Vinícius said: "Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are. " He added that nothing of this kind was new to him or his team and questioned the handling of the protest during the match, calling the protocol "poorly executed" and saying he still did not understand his yellow card.
Team figures and former players were vocal. One current teammate called the episode "a disgrace to football, " saying there is no place for that behaviour in the game. A former midfielder urged an educational approach, arguing that players, coaches and referees must be more aware and that the sport needs collective protection from such incidents. The Real Madrid coach said the club supports Vinícius and stressed the importance of fighting racism in football, while acknowledging the team’s desire to focus on performance ahead of the second leg.
There were further frictions in the tunnel after the final whistle as representatives of both teams exchanged words. Football authorities will now review what happened on the pitch and in the stands; disciplinary and safeguarding processes are expected to follow as investigators consider witness accounts, match footage and referee notes.
Competition context and upcoming fixtures
Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory gives them a narrow lead going into the second leg of the Champions League playoff. The return matches are scheduled for Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 (ET). The wider last-16 programme produced notable results elsewhere, with high-scoring nights across Europe that ensured plenty of drama as teams prepare for the decisive second legs.
For now, the result and the raw fallout from the incident will dominate headlines and conversations. Clubs, governing bodies and player groups will be under pressure to set out clear steps to prevent repeat episodes and to ensure player safety and dignity in high-profile fixtures moving forward.
