Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Vinícius strike and UEFA ban seal a last-16 place

Real Madrid booked a place in the Champions League last 16 after a 2-1 win over Benfica that completed a 3-1 aggregate victory in a tie overshadowed by allegations of racial abuse. The return leg at the Bernabéu took on added significance after UEFA imposed a provisional one-match suspension on Gianluca Prestianni, who did not play in Madrid.

Real Madrid Vs Benfica: scoreline, key moments and progression

Benfica opened the scoring when Rafa Silva levelled the tie after 14 minutes, but Aurelien Tchouaméni struck from distance to give Real Madrid the lead with a first-half equaliser. Vinícius Júnior produced the decisive moment with an 80th-minute strike—effectively a finish with 10 minutes remaining—that wrapped up the tie 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate. The victory sends Real into the last 16, where they will face either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City.

Aurélien Tchouaméni: goals, awards and reaction

Aurelien Tchouaméni scored his first goal of the season in Madrid's equaliser and was named player of the match for a second consecutive Champions League game. Born in France and of Cameroonian descent, he framed the result as wider than sport, calling the outcome a "victory for all of us" and saying there are "more important things than football. " He praised Vinícius for maintaining confidence and focus across both legs.

Gianluca Prestianni suspension and UEFA action

UEFA imposed a provisional one-match suspension on Argentinian winger Gianluca Prestianni on Monday after allegations he racially abused Vinícius in the first leg in Lisbon; Prestianni denied the allegation. Benfica travelled with him to Madrid, lodged a last-minute appeal against the suspension, but UEFA rejected that appeal on Wednesday afternoon. As a result, Prestianni did not feature in the return fixture; an official UEFA notice stated he remains provisionally suspended for the next club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible.

Fans, banners and responses from teammates and officials

Home supporters displayed banners reading "No to racism" and "Respect" before kick-off, with those messages read out as players entered the field. Team-mates and allies voiced support: Trent Alexander-Arnold described Vinícius as "very chilled" and "very relaxed, " saying the forward did not need to score to demonstrate his mentality. Former players also commented — Joe Cole called Vinícius "brilliant over both legs" — and Real Madrid boss Álvaro Arbeloa said he reacted "with joy" at the goal and that Vinícius deserved it. Benfica president Rui Costa rejected the allegations and said the club would not "permit a racist player within the squad. "

Vinícius Jr: performance, celebration and aftermath

Vinícius scored the only goal of the first leg in Lisbon and replicated elements of his celebration in Madrid, dancing by the corner flag after his late strike and later posting on social media that "the dance goes on. " His goal in the return leg provided breathing space for Real and carried emotional weight against the backdrop of the disciplinary actions that followed the allegation from the opening fixture.

UEFA's provisional suspension, Benfica's unsuccessful appeal and the on-pitch response combined to shape the narrative of the tie: the ban meant Prestianni did not participate, which removed a potential flashpoint and left the focus on the match itself, where Tchouaméni and Vinícius produced the decisive contributions. What makes this notable is the tight sequence of allegation, sanction and sporting outcome unfolding within eight days and culminating in Real Madrid's progression to the knockout phase.