Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League play-off first leg, thanks to a stunning goal from Vinicius Junior. The match was overshadowed by a 10-minute halt after Vinicius alleged racial abuse from Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, prompting the referee to invoke UEFA's anti-racism protocol. Jose Mourinho was sent off late for dissent as tensions boiled over.
The Champions League play-off first leg at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon saw Real Madrid take a narrow advantage with a second-half strike from Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian winger curled a brilliant shot into the top corner in the 50th minute, putting the visitors ahead after a goalless first half marked by chances for both sides, including saves from goalkeepers Anatoliy Trubin and Thibaut Courtois.
Celebrations turned chaotic as Vinicius danced by the corner flag, earning a yellow card for excessive celebration. Objects were thrown from the stands, and an altercation ensued with Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who covered his mouth while speaking. Vinicius approached referee Francois Letexier, alleging a racial slur—reportedly calling him a 'monkey'—leading Letexier to cross his arms and activate the anti-racism protocol. Players from both teams briefly left the pitch, causing a 10-minute delay before resuming in the 60th minute.
Vinicius sat in the dugout briefly before returning, later posting on Instagram: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have, alongside them, the protection of others who, in theory, have an obligation to punish. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my family's life. I got a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, it was a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.”
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, sent off in the 85th minute for dissent after a second yellow, defended his club post-match: “I told him [Vinicius] that when you score a goal, you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him that the biggest person in the history of this club is Black. This is Benfica.” He added on the exchange: “Words were exchanged... I want to be independent... [Prestianni] denies it.”
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold called it “a disgrace to football” that overshadowed the performance, while Kylian Mbappe said: “Something has to be done... He doesn't deserve to play anymore in the Champions League.” Coach Alvaro Arbeloa emphasized: “We need to fight against racism—we support Vini.” Clarence Seedorf criticized Mourinho: “We should never ever, in any circumstance, justify racial abuse.”
The second leg is set for February 25 at the Bernabeu. UEFA will investigate the incident, with potential sanctions under disciplinary rules for racism, including minimum 10-match bans.
