Real Madrid Edge Benfica 1-0 in Champions League After Vinicius Junior Wonder Goal

Vinicius Junior scored a sensational goal to earn Real Madrid a 1-0 Champions League play-off first leg victory at Benfica on Tuesday, although the match was marred by apparent racist abuse aimed at the Brazilian.

The breakthrough arrived five minutes after the restart. On the left edge of the box, with little support around him, Vinicius bent a stunning effort into the top corner. That shot had the crowd on its feet. It was sharp, clean, unstoppable.

In a tight Champions League play-off, margins matter. This one belonged to him.

Match Halted After Racism Allegation

Having curled a stunning shot into the top corner in the 50th minute, Vinicius argued with Gianluca Prestianni, after which he complained to French referee Francois Letexier, who halted the match for more than 10 minutes as he applied the racism protocol.

Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni revealed after the match that Vinicius told his team-mates he had been called a “monkey” by Gianluca Prestianni during the heated exchange.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa later addressed the situation, saying Vinicius was calm in the dressing room.

“Vini is doing good, calm,” Arbeloa told Movistar. “What happened is something nobody likes. You have to ask the Benfica player what he said.

“Racism is something we have to eradicate from the world of football. If the players don’t fix it, then this becomes very complicated.”

The incident led to the referee activating the racism protocol, pausing the game for more than 10 minutes.

Madrid Hold Firm

Arbeloa’s side earned a narrow and nervy result at the Estadio da Luz, avenging their earlier 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the league phase.

They were boosted by Kylian Mbappe’s return after knee discomfort kept him out last time. Thibaut Courtois produced a fine save to deny Fredrik Aursnes before the break, while Anatoliy Trubin kept Benfica alive with stops from Mbappe and Arda Guler.

When the game resumed, Vinicius was jeered and later booked for celebrating in front of the home fans. Benfica coach Jose Mourinho was sent off in the 85th minute for protesting too fiercely, ruling him out of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.