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Lisbon, Portugal – A Champions League knockout playoff match between Benfica and Real Madrid was overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, prompting a 10-minute stoppage in play during Tuesday’s contest at Estádio da Luz. Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory in the first leg thanks to a stunning goal from Vinícius, but the result was secondary to the disturbing incidents that unfolded following his celebration.
The match, a crucial stage in the UEFA Champions League, saw Vinícius Júnior score in the 50th minute with a “magnificent curling strike” past Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, according to reporting from the BBC. However, his subsequent celebration sparked a heated exchange with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, leading Vinícius to approach the referee, François Letexier, to report alleged racial abuse.
Following Vinícius’s complaint, play was halted for 10 minutes as anti-racism protocols were enacted. The incident has ignited a fresh wave of condemnation regarding racism in football, with calls for stronger action against perpetrators. The Portuguese club, Benfica, has publicly stated that it does not tolerate racism of any kind.
As demonstrated by images, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what was being said, according to a statement released by SL Benfica on X (formerly Twitter). The club emphasized this point in response to the allegations.
The match also saw Benfica manager Jose Mourinho receive two yellow cards in the 85th minute, meaning he will be absent from the sideline for next Wednesday’s return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. According to Sky Sports, the game concluded with a final score of Benfica 0, Real Madrid 1.
Match Details and Key Moments
Prior to Vinícius’s goal, the game featured several near misses. Federico Valverde had a shot set up by a Trent Alexander-Arnold pass, while Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, was forced to make a save from Fredrik Aursnes. Kylian Mbappé also came close to scoring for Real Madrid, but was denied by Trubin. Sporting News reported that Trubin made several key saves throughout the match to maintain the deficit to a single goal.
The second half saw continued pressure from Real Madrid, with Mbappé missing further opportunities. Arda Guler also had a chance to extend the lead, but was also thwarted by Trubin. Benfica struggled to create significant chances after Vinícius’s goal, with Real Madrid controlling much of the play.
Allegations and Subsequent Investigation
The allegations of racial abuse leveled against Vinícius Júnior are currently under investigation by UEFA, the governing body of European football. UEFA has a strict anti-racism policy and is expected to take swift action if the allegations are substantiated. The incident follows a pattern of similar occurrences involving Vinícius, who has previously been subjected to racist abuse in Spain.
The stoppage in play also saw an object thrown from the crowd strike Vinícius on the arm as he prepared to take a corner, adding to the tense atmosphere. Twelve minutes of added time were played due to the interruptions, as reported by Sky Sports.
Looking Ahead
The second leg of the Champions League playoff will take place next Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu, where Real Madrid will look to secure their place in the next round. However, the focus will likely remain on the allegations of racism and the steps being taken to address the issue. The outcome of UEFA’s investigation will be crucial in determining the appropriate course of action and sending a clear message that racism will not be tolerated in football.
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