Vinicius Junior scored the only goal as Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff round, a match marred by accusations of racial abuse of the Brazil international. 

After a goalless first half at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon following several missed opportunities, Vinicius put Real Madrid ahead five minutes into the second half after he fired home a curler from the edge of the box. 

What followed was chaos as the referee booked Vinicius for what he deemed excessive celebration after the player danced with the corner flag.

However, as the game was about to restart, Vinicius abruptly sprinted towards the referee, pointing at Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, which reports suggested, he may have made racial comments about the winger. 

The incident caused the match to be paused for more than 10 minutes, as Vinicius left the pitch before returning to continue the game.

Neither side scored for the remainder of the match, with Real Madrid running away with a 1-0 win ahead of the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on February 25.

Commenting on the incident after the game, Vinicius’ teammate Fede Valverde said, “When you cover your mouth with your shirt to say something, it’s obviously to say something really ugly. He said a word that should never be used. It was pathetic, what he said. It’s really, really bad.”

Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa added, “Go ask Prestianni what he said… It’s unacceptable. We can not accept these things. Ask Prestianni.”

Full matchday results 

Galatasaray 5 vs 2 Juventus 

Monaco 2 vs 3 PSG

Dortmund 2 vs 0 Atalanta 

Benfica 0 vs 1 Real Madrid