Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Vinicius scores as Madrid advance amid racism controversy
The Champions League play-off tie between Real Madrid and Benfica ended with Real winning 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, a result that carried heavy emotion after racial-abuse allegations from the first leg and a provisional suspension that kept Gianluca Prestianni out of the return fixture. The clash, framed around the real madrid vs benfica storyline, sent Madrid into the last 16 and left an ongoing UEFA investigation in place.
Match deciding moments and the scoreline
Benfica took the lead after 14 minutes through Rafa Silva, but Aurelien Tchouameni restored parity with a powerful long-range strike in the first half. Vinicius Jr finished the tie with an 80th-minute goal after a run through on goal that sealed the night for the hosts and completed a 3-1 aggregate victory for Real Madrid. Vinicius celebrated by dancing by the corner flag, repeating the celebration he used after his first-leg goal.
Real Madrid Vs Benfica: abuse allegation, suspension and UEFA action
The tie followed an incident in the first leg in which Vinicius alleged he was racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni; Prestianni denied the claim. Vinicius had given Real the lead in that match with a curled finish five minutes into the second half, then left the field and refused to return after becoming visibly upset about something said to him, which led to a 10-minute stoppage.
UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator following the first leg and imposed a provisional sanction on Prestianni on Monday that ruled him out of the return match; Prestianni still travelled to Madrid as part of the Benfica squad. Benfica appealed the provisional suspension, but UEFA dismissed the club's case on Wednesday afternoon. UEFA also said, in full, "Mr Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible. " UEFA added that the provisional suspension was imposed "without prejudice to any ruling that the UEFA disciplinary bodies may subsequently make following the conclusion of the ongoing investigation and its respective submission to the UEFA disciplinary bodies. "
Team and fan reactions at the Bernabéu
Home fans held up banners reading "No to racism" and "Respect" before kick-off, and a banner in Spanish saying "no to racism" was displayed in the stands. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said: "I think there are more important things than this match, than football. " He added that Vinicius "keeps his confidence and he keeps focused on what he needs to do, " and said the decision not to let Prestianni play was the right one, calling the result "a victory for all of us. "
Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described Vinicius in the build-up as "very chilled" and "very relaxed, " adding: "He didn't need to score to send a message or show his mentality. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone because he's shown time and time again how good he is. He steps up when we need him the most. He knows his quality and what he brings to the team. " Former forward Joe Cole said Vinicius "was brilliant over both legs" and that "his finish was superb. " Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa said he reacted "with joy obviously, for the great goal he scored, and because it was him, he deserves it. " After the match Vinicius posted on social media: "the dance goes on. "
Other playoff results and what comes next
Observers at the Santiago Bernabéu described the evening as exciting overall, though the Real Madrid tie produced the least drama of the night. Atalanta, Paris Saint-Germain and Galatasaray also advanced from the playoffs. The other results noted in the playoffs included Atalanta 4-1 Borussia Dortmund (agg 4-3), Juventus 3-2 Galatasaray after extra time (agg 5-7), and Paris Saint-Germain 2-2 Monaco (agg 5-4). Galatasaray will go on to face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16, and Atalanta ended the round as the sole remaining Serie A representative; commentators noted the ten men of Juventus had fought hard to take their tie to extra time.
Real Madrid will now prepare to face either Sporting Lisbon or Man City in the Champions League last 16. The UEFA investigation and any subsequent disciplinary rulings remain ongoing.
