Vinícius Júnior Leads Real Madrid Past Benfica, Secures Champions League Spot

Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16 after a 2-1 victory over Benfica in the second leg of their playoff tie, securing a 3-1 aggregate win. The match, held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on February 25, 2026, saw Vinícius Júnior score the decisive goal in the 80th minute, adding to Aurélien Tchouaméni’s earlier strike.

Match Recap

Benfica took an early lead through Rafa Silva, but Real Madrid responded quickly with a goal from Tchouaméni in the 16th minute. The game remained tied until Vinícius Júnior’s late goal sealed the victory for the Spanish giants. The Brazilian forward’s goal was his sixth in his last five matches for Madrid.

Controversy Surrounds Vinícius Júnior

The match was marked by controversy, as Vinícius Júnior was subjected to loud booing from Benfica fans throughout the game. This followed accusations from the previous week that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni racially insulted him during the first leg. Prestianni has denied the allegations and was provisionally suspended by UEFA for one match, a suspension that remained in effect for the second leg after Benfica’s appeal was rejected. The first leg was briefly halted as the anti-racism protocol was implemented following Vinícius’ complaint.

Player Reactions

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Vinícius Júnior’s resilience, stating, “I’m glad Vini dances and keeps dancing, that means he’s scoring goals.” Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni added, “That’s our Vinícius.”

Looking Ahead

Real Madrid’s victory secures their place in the Champions League round of 16. The team will now prepare for the next stage of the competition, while Benfica exits the tournament.

Key Takeaways

• Real Madrid defeated Benfica 3-1 on aggregate to advance to the Champions League round of 16.
• Vinícius Júnior scored the winning goal in the second leg and has been the subject of alleged racial abuse.
• Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica was suspended by UEFA following the allegations.

Source: ESPN, The Athletic, Al Jazeera