Real Madrid defeated Benfica on Tuesday night in Portugal. The match official suspended the game for ten minutes during the second half. This delay followed a report of racism from forward Vinícius Júnior. The incident occurred at the Estádio da Luz during the Champions League playoffs.
Vinícius Júnior scored for Real Madrid in the 50th minute. He moved toward the corner flag to celebrate. Supporters of Benfica threw objects onto the pitch from the stands. Referee François Letexier showed a yellow card to the scorer for his celebration.
Vinicius Jr speaks to referee Francois Letexier
Conflict on the Pitch
Midfielder Gianluca Prestianni approached Vinícius Júnior after the goal. Prestianni held his jersey over his mouth while he spoke. Vinícius Júnior immediately signalled to the referee. He pointed at Prestianni and moved towards the official.
The forward stated that Prestianni used a slur during the exchange. Cameras recorded Vinícius Júnior speaking to Letexier in the 52nd minute. He reported that the opponent used the word “monkey”. Players from both squads gathered in the centre of the field.
- Player reporting abuse: Vinícius Júnior
- Player accused: Gianluca Prestianni
- Time of incident: 52nd minute
- Location: Estádio da Luz
Vinicius Jr and Gianluca Prestianni in the 52nd minute
Activation of Anti-Racism Protocol
Referee François Letexier activated the protocol against racism. He crossed his arms above his head to signal the stoppage. This action informed the stadium of the allegation. Play ceased while officials discussed the situation with the captains.
The stadium announcer broadcast a warning to the crowd. This announcement played in Portuguese and English. Security moved to the sidelines to monitor the fans. The stoppage lasted for ten minutes before the teams resumed play.
Match Resumption and Result
The match continued in the 60th minute after the delay. Vinícius Júnior stayed on the field for the remainder of the game. He sat on the bench for a short time during the suspension. His teammates supported his choice to continue.
The delay added time to the match clock at the end. Officials added 13 minutes of stoppage time. Benfica failed to equalise during the final period. Real Madrid secured a victory with a score of 1-0.
- Final Score: 0-1
- Total Stoppage Time: 13 minutes
- Total Attendance: 66,387
- Match Restart Time: 60th minute
Statements from Real Madrid Leadership
Captain Federico Valverde spoke to the media after the final whistle. He expressed support for his teammate during the press conference. Valverde noted that the team defends all members from abuse. He mentioned the conduct of covering the mouth.
“If you cover your mouth to say something, it’s because it’s not right,” Valverde said. “The insult is very serious.” Defender Trent Alexander-Arnold also provided comments to reporters. “What’s happened tonight is a disgrace to football,” Alexander-Arnold stated.
“He’s experienced this before… It’s disgraceful to the sport and society as well. There’s no place for it.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold voices his support for Vinícius Júnior and condemns racial abuse after a difficult night in Lisbon 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/6F0kKg3ZM8
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2026
Response from Benfica Management
Manager José Mourinho addressed the media following the loss. He received a red card in the 85th minute for his behaviour. Mourinho questioned the actions of Vinícius Júnior during the match. He claimed the forward provoked the crowd.
Mourinho stated that Prestianni denied the use of any slurs. The manager spoke about the history of the club in Lisbon. He reminded the audience that Eusébio remains the greatest figure for the club. Mourinho said that incidents happen in every stadium where Vinícius Júnior plays.
“I want to know what [Gianluca Prestianni] said. That’s when the game stopped, the game didn’t stop because of the celebration.”
Thierry Henry reflects on José Mourinho’s comments after the match 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/UFbWVGXz5m
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 17, 2026
Public Reaction from Vinícius Júnior
The forward shared his thoughts on social media after the game. He posted a photo of his celebration in Portugal. Vinícius Júnior wrote about people who use discrimination. He highlighted the cowardice of the offenders.
“Racists are, above all, cowards,” the player wrote. “They need to cover their mouths with their shirts.” He mentioned that these events happen frequently in his life. The player thanked the people who offered support during the match.
- Source of Statement: Instagram
- Date of Post: 17 February 2026
- Theme: Combatting racism
- Status: Active investigation
Disciplinary Data and Match Statistics
The match report included several disciplinary actions besides the racism report. The referee issued multiple cards to both teams. Fans threw bottles at players during several intervals. Officials recorded these events for the report to UEFA.
- Yellow Cards Issued: 5
- Red Cards Issued: 2
- Objects Thrown: 12
- Fouls Committed: 24
Future Steps for UEFA
UEFA will start an investigation into the events in Lisbon. The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will review the evidence. This process includes the report from François Letexier. They will also examine video footage from the stadium cameras.
Benfica faces sanctions for the conduct of the crowd and players. These penalties often include fines or the closure of stands. Real Madrid officials expect a review of the incident. The second leg of the playoff occurs in Madrid next week.
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Tournament Context and Standing
Real Madrid holds the advantage for the next match. The win in Lisbon provides a lead for the home game. This victory marks a change in form for the squad. The team changed its coaching structure in January.
Benfica must score in Madrid to stay in the competition. The squad will travel without their manager on the touchline. Mourinho will serve a suspension for his red card. The world of football continues to discuss the events of the evening.
- Advantage: Real Madrid
- Competition Phase: Playoff Leg One
- Venue for Next Match: Santiago Bernabéu
- Suspended Personnel: José Mourinho
