Vinicius Junior scored a spectacular winner for Real Madrid against Benfica in their Champions League play-off first leg, which was stopped for 10 minutes for alleged racist abuse.
At the Estadio da Luz, the Brazil forward gave the visitors the lead in the 50th minute with a stunning curling goal that went past Anatoliy Trubin.
After a furious altercation with Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica, Vinicius was booked for excessive celebration and rushed to referee Francois Letexier, gesturing toward the Argentina winger.
Before play resumed ten minutes later, Vinicius left the field, followed by his teammates.
Jose Mourinho, the manager of Benfica, will not be present at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday for the return leg after receiving two yellow cards in the 85th minute.
Play was stopped, and as Vinicius was about to take a corner, he was hit on the arm by an object thrown from the crowd, which resulted in 12 minutes of extra time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defense-splitting pass to Federico Valverde was followed by Vinicius’ nearly missed effort just before Real seized the lead.
Both teams subsequently tried to score, but Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had to stop Fredrik Aursnes’ stinging effort.
As Real pressed just before halftime, Kylian Mbappe came within inches of meeting a ball from Alexander-Arnold, who played the entire game, inside the penalty area.
After being set up by Vinicius’ back heel, Mbappe flew over and was stopped by Trubin, who was then called upon once more to deny Arda Guler as Benfica managed to hang on until halftime.
After Vinicius’ spectacular goal, Real Madrid sealed a brilliant away performance that was marred by the racist accusations that followed the game-winning goal, as Benfica hardly troubled Courtois’ goal.
The teams were playing in Lisbon just 19 days after their thrilling league-phase finale, in which goalie Trubin’s header in the 89th minute secured Benfica’s final playoff position on goal differential.
On Wednesday, February 25, at 20:00 GMT, Benfica will play the return leg in Madrid in an attempt to overcome the deficit.
