"Tuesday's match was overshadowed by chaotic scenes as the action was paused for 10 minutes in the immediate aftermath of Vinicius' 50th-minute strike. The Brazilian appeared outraged at something that was said to him and briefly sat down in the dugout, seemingly unwilling to continue, though he returned to play the remainder of the match, which also saw Benfica boss Jose Mourinho sent to the stands."
"Vinicius shot wide on the turn before teeing up Kylian Mbappe with a lovely backheel, only for the Frenchman - who had previously failed to make contact with Trent Alexander-Arnold's searching delivery - to fluff his lines. Mbappe was also denied by Anatoliy Trubin after skipping onto his left foot inside a crowded penalty area, with the Ukrainian later tipping Arda Guler's drive around the right post to keep it goalless at half-time."
"But Madrid finally made the breakthrough in stunning fashion after the interval, with Vinicius stepping inside Amar Dedic and curling home from near the left corner of the box. There was a lengthy stoppage immediately after the goal, though, with Vinicius running over to referee Francois Letexier following an interaction with Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, with the officials stopping the game in line with UEFA's protocol for players raising allegations of racist abuse."
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 at the Estadio da Luz in a bad-tempered Champions League play-off first leg. Vinicius Junior scored a 50th-minute curling winner after stepping inside Amar Dedic. Play was paused for ten minutes immediately after the goal as Vinicius confronted referee Francois Letexier following an interaction with Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, prompting officials to follow UEFA protocol for alleged racist abuse. Madrid had earlier created several chances, with Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe both failing to convert and Anatoliy Trubin making key saves, including tipping Arda Guler's shot. Tensions continued, with Jose Mourinho sent to the stands late on.
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