Benfica Vs Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League Playoff: Vinicius Goal Seals Away Win As Racism Row Halts Play In Lisbon

Real Madrid beat hosts Benfica 1-0 in the chaotic first leg of their UEFA Champions League 2025-26 playoff tie at the Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Tuesday night. Vinicius Junior scored the winner in the 50th minute for the 15-time champions from Spain, even as the match halted for an alleged racist abuse. The Brazilian was booked for excessive celebration, then accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racially insulting him. The visitors walked off the pitch, and play was stopped for 10 minutes. Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was shown two yellow cards in the 85th minute. The former Los Blancos boss will miss the return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.

Updated on: 18 February 2026 2:53 pm

Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior reacts at the end of a Champions League playoff soccer match between Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-José Mourinho

Benfica's head coach José Mourinho receives a red card by referee François Letexier, during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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A plastic bottle filled with water is thrown from the stands toward Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior during a Champions League playoff soccer match between Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior argues after scoring the opening goal during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid-Vinicius Junior argues with Benficas head coach José Mourinho

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior argues with Benfica's head coach José Mourinho after scoring the opening goal during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior argues with Benfica players after scoring the opening goal during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-Vinicius Junior

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior scores the opening goal during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe fights for the ball during a Champions League playoff soccer match soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-Aurelien Tchouameni

Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni fights for the ball against Benfica's Rafa Silva during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-Trent Alexander-Arnold

Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold fights for the ball against Benfica's Samuel Dahl during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-Alvaro Carreras

Real Madrid's Alvaro Carreras fights for the ball against Benfica's Amar Dedic and Leandro Barreiro during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Benfica Vs Real Madrid UEFA Champions League Playoff-Arda Guler

Real Madrid's Arda Guler fights for the ball against Benfica's Samuel Dahl during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe fights for the ball against Benfica's Amar Dedic and Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal. | Photo: AP/Pedro Rocha

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