Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Vinicius Jr seals last-16 spot amid racism row

In the Santiago Bernabéu tie that ended 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, real madrid vs benfica was decided by an 80th-minute strike from Vinicius Jr, a result that sent Real Madrid into the Champions League last 16 and came amid a controversy over alleged racial abuse in the first leg.

Late goal settles the tie

Benfica levelled the tie early when Rafa Silva scored after 14 minutes, but Aurelien Tchouaméni restored Real's lead with a powerful first-half strike. Vinicius Jr then scampered through to score with 10 minutes remaining, celebrating by dancing at the corner flag — the same celebration he used after the first-leg goal that had given Real the lead in Lisbon.

Prestianni suspended and appeal dismissed

Gianluca Prestianni, the Benfica player whom Vinicius Jr alleged racially abused him in the first leg, denied the allegation but was provisionally suspended by UEFA for one match and did not play in the return at the Bernabéu. Benfica appealed the suspension, but UEFA dismissed the club's last-minute appeal on Wednesday afternoon. UEFA said: "Mr Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible. " UEFA appointed an ethics and disciplinary investigator (EDI) after the first leg, and it said the imposition of the provisional suspension was "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. "

Players and fans made their stance clear

Home fans displayed banners reading "No to racism" and "Respect" before kick-off, with at least one banner described as the words "no to racism" in Spanish. Aurelien Tchouaméni, who was born in France and is of Cameroonian descent, said it was "a victory for all of us" that Prestianni did not feature and added: "There are more important things than football. " He also said, "It was the best decision for this person [Prestianni] not to play this game. "

Tchouaméni's role and form

Tchouaméni took the player of the match award for a second straight Champions League game after scoring Real's equaliser — his first goal of the season — and said: "I'm doing things well" and that he is "very happy with the goal. " His contribution from midfield helped Madrid overturn the 1-0 deficit on the night and progress on aggregate.

Vinicius's reaction and the first-leg stoppage

Vinicius Jr scored the only goal in Lisbon and celebrated by dancing near the corner flag; he repeated that celebration after his 80th-minute strike in Madrid and later posted on social media that "the dance goes on. " In the first leg, after curling a superb individual goal five minutes into the second half from a tight angle, Vinicius left the field and refused to return, prompting a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes.

Voices from the game

Trent Alexander-Arnold said Vinicius had been "very chilled" and "very relaxed" before the return leg and that "he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. " Former forward Joe Cole called Vinicius "brilliant over both legs" and praised the quality of his finish. Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa said he reacted "with joy" to the goal and that Vinicius "deserves it. "

Real Madrid will now face a last-16 opponent yet to be finalised: they will play either Sporting Lisbon or Man City in the round of 16, while the UEFA investigation and any subsequent disciplinary rulings remain ongoing.