Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Vinícius winner and Prestianni suspension frame emotional last-16 spot
Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League last 16 after a 2-1 home win over Benfica, sealing a 3-1 aggregate victory in a tie overshadowed by allegations of racial abuse and a UEFA provisional suspension. The result matters now because it combined decisive on-field moments — including Vinícius Jr's winner — with institutional action and visible fan backlash against racism.
Real Madrid Vs Benfica: goals, timing and aggregate
Benfica opened the scoring after 14 minutes through Rafa Silva to level the tie on the night, but Aurelien Tchouaméni restored parity with a powerful long-range strike. Vinícius Jr then clinched the tie with a goal around the 80th minute — described as coming with roughly 10 minutes remaining — giving Real a 2-1 victory on the night and a 3-1 advantage over the two legs. The win sends Real Madrid into the last 16, where they are set to face either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City.
Gianluca Prestianni suspension and UEFA action
UEFA imposed a provisional one-match suspension on Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni on Monday after allegations he racially abused Vinícius Jr in the first leg. Prestianni, who has denied the allegations, travelled with Benfica's squad to Madrid but did not play because UEFA rejected Benfica's last-minute appeal on Wednesday afternoon. UEFA's statement made clear: "Mr Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible. " Benfica had appealed the decision, and the club's internal stance was reflected in a public comment from president Rui Costa that they would not "permit a racist player within the squad. "
Vinícius Jr: goals, celebrations and reactions
Vinícius Jr scored the only goal in the first leg in Lisbon and added the decisive strike in Madrid, celebrating both times with a dance by the corner flag. He later posted on social media, "the dance goes on. " Commentators and former players praised his two-leg performance and finish, and Real personnel expressed support: the club's coach reacted with joy at the goal and said the player deserved it. Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described Vinícius as composed before the game, saying he was "very chilled" and "very relaxed, " and adding that the forward did not need to score to show his mentality.
Aurélien Tchouaméni, player of the match and broader message
Aurélien Tchouaméni scored Real's first-half equaliser and was named player of the match for a second consecutive Champions League game. The France international, who was born in France and is of Cameroonian descent, said the decision to keep Prestianni out was the right one and called the result "a victory for everyone who stands against racism, " adding that there are "more important things than the match, than football. " Tchouaméni described his goal as his first of the season and said he felt confident and determined to keep performing.
Fans, stadium messages and Benfica response
Home supporters displayed banners before kick-off carrying messages such as "No to racism" in Spanish and "Respect, " and the stadium read those messages out as the players took the field. Benfica denied the abuse allegations and maintained their position through the appeal; nonetheless, the club's winger remained provisionally suspended and absent from the matchday squad despite travelling to Madrid.
Match sequence and significance
The tie turned on a quick sequence: Benfica's early equaliser at 14 minutes, Tchouaméni's long-range response, and Vinícius Jr's decisive run and finish with about 10 minutes left. What makes this notable is the way an on-field outcome intersected with UEFA disciplinary action and a pronounced anti-racism message from fans and players — framing the victory as both sporting progression and a symbolic response to the allegations. Real's progress to the last 16 closes the two-leg contest 3-1 on aggregate and moves the club on to a tie against either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City.
Post-match commentary praised individual performances across both legs, with observers noting Vinícius's consistent impact and Tchouaméni's growing influence in midfield as he collected player-of-the-match honours again.
