Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Vinícius’ late strike, Tchouaméni’s message and a match framed as a stand against racism
In the latest chapter of real madrid vs benfica, Real Madrid overturned a first-half deficit to win 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, securing a place in the Champions League last 16. The tie carried heightened significance after allegations of racial abuse in the first leg left Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni provisionally suspended and absent from the return fixture; players, club figures and supporters treated the result as more than a sporting progression.
Real Madrid Vs Benfica: scoreline and decisive moments
Benfica struck first when Rafa Silva levelled the tie after 14 minutes. Real Madrid responded before half-time when Aurélien Tchouaméni produced a powerful strike from distance to restore parity on the night. The decisive moment arrived late: Vinícius Jr. found the net again with an 80th-minute finish (about 10 minutes remaining), sealing a 2-1 win that completed a 3-1 aggregate victory and moved Real into the last 16, where they will face either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City.
Tchouaméni, the goal and the wider message
Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was born in France and is of Cameroonian descent, scored his first goal of the season in the return leg and collected a player-of-the-match award for a second straight Champions League game. He framed the result in moral as well as sporting terms, saying that the outcome felt like a victory for those who stand against racism and stressing that there are things more important than football. He also praised Vinícius’s focus and confidence. Tchouaméni described the decision to keep Gianluca Prestianni out of the match as the right one and expressed collective satisfaction at how the tie concluded.
Prestianni suspension, appeals and official measures
Gianluca Prestianni, an Argentinian winger, was provisionally suspended for one match by UEFA following allegations that he racially abused Vinícius in the first leg. Prestianni denied the allegations. He travelled to Madrid with the Benfica squad but did not play after UEFA rejected the club’s last-minute appeal. UEFA had imposed the provisional sanction on Monday, and the appeal was dismissed on Wednesday afternoon; an official ruling stated that he remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible.
Fan reaction, on-field celebrations and public responses
Support for Vinícius was visible before kick-off, with Real Madrid fans displaying a banner in Spanish reading "no to racism" and messages including "No to racism" and "Respect" being read out as players took the field. Vinícius celebrated both his first-leg goal in Lisbon and his late winner at the Bernabéu by dancing near the corner flag; he later posted on social media that "the dance goes on. "
Members of the football community offered public praise for Vinícius’s performances: one former England international described him as appearing very calm and relaxed before the match and noted that he does not need to score to make his point, while another former forward lauded the forward’s finishing and impact across both legs. Real Madrid’s coach reacted with joy at Vinícius’s contribution and said the player deserved the moment. Benfica’s president commented that the club would not permit a racist player within the squad, a stance offered amid the disciplinary process.
What this means next for both teams
With the tie settled, Real Madrid advance to the Champions League last 16 and will await the result of the other play-off to learn whether their next opponent will be Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City. The disciplinary process that produced Prestianni’s provisional suspension, the rejected appeal and the public statements from players and club officials mean the encounter will be remembered as a fixture where sporting outcomes and anti-racism messaging intersected. Details of any further action or appeals remain unclear in the provided context.
