UEFA Champions League Play‑Off First Leg
Estádio da Luz. Lisbon, Portugal. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026
Real Madrid took an important away victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play‑off tie with Benfica, thanks to a brilliant second‑half strike from Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian’s curling effort was the difference on the night, but the match will also be remembered for a controversial stoppage and allegations of racist abuse that briefly halted play and overshadowed what was otherwise a controlled Madrid performance.
Goal Timeline & Key Events
50’ — Real Madrid 0–1 Benfica:
Vinícius Júnior produced a moment of individual magic. Receiving the ball from Kylian Mbappé on the left, Vinícius cut inside, sized up his defender, and bent a stunning shot into the top right corner from just outside the area. A goal worthy of any Champions League stage.
51’ — Yellow Card:
Vinícius was shown a booking for an exuberant celebration beside the corner flag.
60’ — Match Halted (For 11 Minutes):
Shortly after the goal, play was temporarily stopped after Vinícius alleged that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni directed a racist slur at him. The referee, François Letexier, immediately activated the UEFA anti‑racism protocol, halting the match for roughly 10–11 minutes amid tense scenes involving players and coaching staff from both sides. UEFA has officially issued their “anti-racist” protocol to investigate the situation and the interaction between Prestianni and Vini.
79’ — Yellow Card:
Gianluca Prestianni was booked later in the game for simulation, though he denied any racist intent during the delay.
86’ — Red Card:
Benfica manager José Mourinho was sent off for dissent after receiving two quick yellow cards from the referee.
90+3’ — Yellow Card:
Heorhii Sudakov picked up a late booking for a tactical foul.
Despite the heated moments and stoppage, Madrid held firm and took a crucial advantage into the second leg.
Key Match Stats
| Statistic | Benfica | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | ~42% | ~58% |
| Total Shots | 10 | 16 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 7 |
| Corners | 3 | 6 |
| Saves | 6 | 3 |
Madrid’s superiority in possession and chance creation was clear, though Benfica’s keeper Anatoliy Trubin kept the score level until Vinícius struck.
Match Analysis & Key Moments. Clinical Hit After Half
Madrid started with measured patience, maintaining control and probing Benfica’s defence. After weathering an early period where Benfica pressed with intent, it was Madrid who struck first once space opened following the break.
Defensive Structure
Madrid’s back line and midfield shielded keeper Thibaut Courtois effectively. While Benfica’s best chances came from counterattacks, Madrid’s compactness and quick transitions kept them on the front foot.
Tense Atmosphere After Goal
Immediately after scoring, the match turned tense when Vinícius confronted an opponent over alleged racist abuse. This break in play appeared to disrupt rhythm, and the atmosphere remained heated for the remainder of the contest.
Game Management in Second Half
Even after the 10‑minute stoppage and a hostile crowd reaction, Madrid remained composed, a testament to their experience in big moments. They didn’t give Benfica the confidence to push back before the second leg.
Post‑Match Quotes/Reactions
Federico Valverde
“According to my teammates near him, they heard something very ugly that shouldn’t be said. Many people have been fighting against racism in football; Vinícius is one of them. I’m proud of him and his performance tonight.”
Trent Alexander‑Arnold
“It’s disgusting. What happened tonight is a disgrace to football. It’s overshadowed the performance — especially after such an amazing goal. Vini has been subjected to this a few times throughout his career… there’s no place for it in football or society.”
Álvaro Arbeloa (Manager)
“We cannot allow such things to happen on a football pitch. Ask the Benfica player what he said to Vinícius — everyone in football deserves an answer to that question. Zero tolerance for racism has to be absolute.”
José Mourinho (Benfica Manager)
Mourinho called the club “not racist” and suggested Vinícius should have celebrated more respectfully:
“When you score a goal like that, you just celebrate. Benfica, the last thing it is, is a racist club.”
His reactions drew criticism for failing to condemn the alleged abuse.
What This Means for next weeks Second Leg.
Madrid Takes First Advantage
A narrow away goal gives Real a psychological edge and a clean slate heading back to the Bernabéu for the second leg. They’ll now look to close out the tie at home with confidence.
Tension Carries Into Return Leg
The controversy surrounding the alleged racist incident is likely to be a major subplot ahead of the return match. UEFA will review official reports, and the global conversation around racism in football is unlikely to fade quickly.
Tactical Takeaway
Madrid’s ability to remain composed despite disruption is a strength that will serve them well as the competition progresses. However, finding a second goal in the second leg will be crucial to putting the tie beyond doubt.
