Real Madrid - Benfica: Vinicius seals progress in tie shadowed by racism row
In the real madrid - benfica playoff, Real Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 at the Bernabeu to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate and reach the Champions League round of 16. The victory came amid an unfolding racism controversy involving Gianluca Prestianni and visible fan support for Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid advance after comeback at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid overturned a deficit on the night to win 2-1 at the Bernabeu and seal a 3-1 aggregate victory that sends them into the Champions League round of 16. Vinicius Jr, who had scored the first-leg winner, found the net again in the return tie with a curled finish into the bottom corner that eased the tie after his side had trailed on the night.
Rafa Silva opener and Tchouameni response — Asencio stretchered off
Benfica had taken the lead through Rafa Silva's tap-in, but Aurelien Tchouameni swept home two minutes later to restore Real Madrid's aggregate advantage; Tchouameni's strike is described as Real's first-half equaliser. Raul Asencio was withdrawn on a stretcher after an accidental aerial clash with team-mate Eduardo Camavinga during the match.
Allegation against Prestianni, suspension and stadium message
Vinicius Jr alleged he was racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg; Prestianni has denied the allegation. Prestianni was handed a one-match ban and missed the return leg, and was suspended by UEFA after an appeal was dismissed. Before kick-off at the Bernabeu a banner reading "no to racism" in Spanish was displayed by the home fans.
Tchouameni, teammates and former players respond to the controversy
Aurelien Tchouameni called the result "a victory for everyone who stands against racism, " saying there are things "more important than this match, than football, " and adding that Vinicius kept his confidence and focus. Tchouameni also said he thought the decision not to let Prestianni play was the right one.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, identified as a Real Madrid and England defender, described Vinicius as "very chilled" and "very relaxed" before the fixture and said "He didn't need to score to send a message or show his mentality, " adding that Vinicius "doesn't need to prove anything to anyone" and that "He steps up when we need him the most. " Former players praised the forward: Joe Cole said, "He was brilliant over both legs" and "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. "
Vinicius celebrations and social-media response
Vinicius celebrated his first-leg goal by dancing near the corner flag and repeated the same celebration after his 80th-minute strike in the return tie. The Brazilian posted on social media after the match: "the dance goes on. "
What the result means for the Champions League last 16
Real Madrid progress to join the 16 teams remaining in the 2025-26 Champions League. Six of those 16 teams are from the Premier League; Atalanta is the only Italian representative. It is the first time England has six Premier League clubs in the last 16. Real Madrid might face Sporting CP in the last 16 or could be drawn against Manchester City. Across all meetings taken in isolation rather than as two-legged ties, Real and Manchester City have five wins each and five draws from their 15 meetings dating back to 2012; Pep Guardiola's side won the last meeting 2-1 in Madrid in this season's group phase. After a couple of weeks of play-off ties, the competition returns for the last 16 in March.
