Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday, February 17, but the match was marred by allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Júnior.
Vinicius Júnior scored the winning goal in the 50th minute, a “magnificent curling strike” past Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, according to the BBC. Yet, his celebration prompted a heated exchange with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, leading Vinicius to approach referee Francois Letexier and allege racist abuse. Play was halted for ten minutes as Letexier invoked UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, the New York Times reported.
Objects were thrown onto the pitch during the stoppage, with one striking Vinicius on the arm as he prepared to take a corner, according to the BBC. The match resumed after the delay, with 12 minutes of added time.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was shown two yellow cards in the 85th minute and will be absent from the sideline for next Wednesday’s return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, the BBC noted.
Prior to Vinicius’s goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a “defence-splitting pass” to Federico Valverde, creating a scoring opportunity for Vinicius, who shot narrowly wide. Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois similarly made a key save to deny Fredrik Aursnes. Kylian Mbappe came close to scoring for Real Madrid before halftime, but was thwarted by Trubin on multiple occasions, as Benfica defended resolutely.
Benfica rarely threatened Courtois’s goal after conceding, as Real Madrid secured a “masterful away performance,” according to the BBC. The Athletic reported that Vinicius Jr. Also alleges racial abuse by Prestianni during the match.
The second leg of the Champions League play-off between Real Madrid and Benfica is scheduled for next week.
