Real Madrid hold off Benfica as off-field racism row and Bernabéu mosaic loom

Real Madrid defeated benfica 2-1 in Madrid, the 80th-minute goal from Vinícius Jr. deciding a tie that ends Benfica’s European campaign for 2025/26. The result comes amid a broader controversy: Vinícius Jr. has filed a racism complaint that halted a prior match and prompted plans for a stadium mosaic reading “Não ao racismo” and “Respeito” at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Key moments and final score in Madrid: 2-1, FT

The match finished Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica, with Rafa Silva giving the visitors the lead at 14 minutes, Tchouaméni levelling at 16 minutes, and Vinícius Jr. scoring the decisive goal at 80 minutes. The defeat eliminated Benfica from European competition in 2025/26. Commentators noted the game lost momentum after the late goal and that the final whistle closed the tie in Madrid.

First half: Rafa strike, swift equaliser and an annulled Guler goal

Benfica went ahead at 14’ through Rafa Silva, a just reward for early pressure, but Tchouaméni restored parity at 16’. Shortly after, Arda Guler put what would have been a 2-1 lead on the board for Real Madrid, but the VAR intervened and the goal was ruled out for offside. Ríos came close for Benfica before halftime, Thibaut Courtois produced a notable save, and Arda Guler again threatened before the break; the interval arrived with a fair draw.

Second half swings: Real control, Benfica pressure and near misses

Real Madrid re-entered the match strongly and controlled the early stages of the second half, but Benfica recovered and pressed. Schjelderup and Pavlidis each had more than one occasion when they could have put Benfica back in front. At 60 minutes Rafa struck the post, keeping the tie alive for the visitors until the decisive sequence later on.

Minute 80 sequence, substitutions and discipline that shaped the finish

The 80th minute began with a rapid Real Madrid move in which Tomás Araújo left the marking of Vinícius Jr. and failed to win the ball; Valverde then found Vinícius Jr. alone, the Brazilian ran toward goal and finished to make it 2-1. Benfica reacted — Rafa had a big chance with a deflection that nearly produced an equaliser — and manager changes followed: Barrenechea and Ivanovic entered to replace Schjelderup and Aursnes. Leandro Barreiro was taken off and replaced by Sidny Lopes, and Cesar Palacios received a yellow card for a foul. Match observers singled out Schjelderup and Aursnes as two of Benfica’s best performers alongside Valverde, Courtois and Vinícius Jr., while the referee Slavko Vincic, from Slovenia, was praised for his control of the game.

Racism complaint, the halted Lisbon episode and the planned Bernabéu mosaic

The result in Madrid is set against the backdrop of an earlier incident at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Vinícius Jr. denounced racist remarks after scoring a golazo that opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the second half of that match; his celebration by the corner flag near an organised Benfica section led to complaints and he was booked with a yellow card by referee François Letexier. After play paused and tensions eased, Vinícius Jr. told the referee he had been insulted by Prestianni and lodged a formal complaint; a broader confusion ensued and Mbappé also accused the Benfica player of racist insults.

The referee immediately activated the UEFA anti-racism protocol and the match was stopped for about 10 minutes while Vinícius Jr. was assisted by teammates including Mbappé and Tchouaméni. José Mourinho spoke directly with Vinícius Jr., and members of both coaching staffs argued during the incident. Benfica supporters began to chant abuse and objects were thrown at Vinícius Jr.; when play resumed both Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé were booed at nearly every touch. After the match Vinícius Jr. posted on social media condemning being the victim of prejudice.

UEFA has provisionally suspended Prestianni following the complaint. Mbappé has said he heard Prestianni call Vinícius Jr. “macaco” five times. Prestianni has denied being racist; Tchouaméni said Prestianni claimed he used the word “maricón, ” not “mono. ” In response to the episode, Real Madrid fans are preparing a symbolic mosaic at the Santiago Bernabéu to display the messages “Não ao racismo” and “Respeito” at the teams’ entrance to the pitch.