Vinicius Junior Stunner Sends Real Madrid Ahead

Vinicius shines as Real Madrid beat Benfica

Real Madrid edge Benfica 1-0 in UCL knockout play-off first leg, Vinicius Junior scores winning goal.

The Benfica stopper had to be alert again soon after to deny Arda Guler...

Vinicius Junior stole the show in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Benfica in the UCL knockout play-off first leg, scoring the winning goal and sparking a walk-off by his teammates after alleged racist abuse. The match was already intense, given Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's dramatic stoppage-time goal in their previous meeting, and Jose Mourinho facing his former team.

The alleged incident occurred after Vinicius scored a stunning goal, when he claimed Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni made a racist remark, prompting the referee to activate the anti-racism protocol. Vinicius was booked for his celebration, and Mourinho was sent off for protesting

That wasn’t particularly evident in the opening stages, though, as a rather tentative clash was almost sparked into life by Kylian Mbappe, whose ferocious drive from the edge of the area was well stopped by Trubin.

The Benfica stopper had to be alert again soon after to deny Arda Guler, although a header at the other end from Tomas Araujo, which worked Thibaut Courtois, was a warning to Madrid that their hosts were still in the game

The two sides traded blows throughout the first half, with Vinicius Junior trying his luck for the visitors, while Fredrik Aursnes wasted arguably Benfica’s best chance of the opening 45 minutes when his curling effort forced Courtois to deny him at full stretch.

Chances continued to rain in on the Benfica goal, with Vinicius and Mbappe both going close within seconds of each other before the break, but the record 15-time European champions went into the break on level terms and wondering if they’d be left to rue their missed opportunities. 

Vinicius seized a half-chance, jinking into the area, switching to his right foot, and curling a beauty into the top corner. Trubin didn't stand a chance.

The Brazilian was at the heart of controversy soon after, too, as he reported an incident, believed to be of a racial remark from a Benfica player, which prompted the halting of the game.

First-leg victory for Real Madrid.#UCL pic.twitter.com/mKL1KDLZ7q

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 17, 2026

The contest resumed after a stoppage just shy of 10 minutes, and after his first goal made him the outright second-highest scoring Brazilian in the UCL with 31 goals, 32 almost followed when his deflected effort forced a smart reflex stop out of Trubin.

Jose Mourinho's red card summed up the chaos that had engulfed the game. Benfica was struggling to create chances, and their best bet seemed to be a repeat of their dramatic late winner from last month, when Trubin scored a header to secure their spot in the playoffs.

The closing minutes were marred by ugly scenes, with objects thrown at Madrid players. Still, Real Madrid took a lead back to Spain for next week's second leg.