Vinicius Jr seals Real Madrid’s progress in Champions League
Vinicius Jr has all but sealed Real Madrid’s passage into the next round of the Champions League with a clinical finish against Benfica tonight, reports BritPanorama.
The Brazilian forward collected a perfectly weighted pass from Eduardo Camavinga before bursting into the penalty area and calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right corner with his right foot, making it 2-1 on the night. The goal followed Aurelien Tchouameni’s earlier strike in the match.
With the aggregate score now standing at 3-1 in Real Madrid’s favour, Benfica’s hopes of progressing look all but over. The evening was punctuated by Vinicius Jr’s lively celebration, as he sprinted straight to the corner flag and launched into his now-famous dance routine, a deliberate callback to his celebration in the first leg.
This act notably recalled the chaos that transpired in Lisbon after the first match, where Benfica supporters launched insults and objects at Vinicius Jr following his prior celebration. The atmosphere remained tense, especially after Benfica players confronted him during tonight’s encounter, following an alleged racially charged incident involving Gianluca Prestianni, who has denied the accusations.
UEFA previously placed a provisional one-match suspension on Prestianni, which meant he was absent for tonight’s fixture, vital for Benfica as they needed to win at the Bernabeu to advance after losing the first leg 1-0. Rafa Silva initially put Benfica in front after a defensive lapse from Real Madrid, but the lead was short-lived. Tchouameni’s sublime strike quickly drew the teams level again.
In a match where quality was occasionally lacking, Vinicius Jr’s impact proved decisive as he executed a brilliant low effort, ensuring his team’s progress to the next round, where they could meet either Manchester City or Sporting.
Such moments highlight not just the highs of football but the undercurrents of tension that often accompany the sport, a reminder of how quickly emotions can shift on the pitch.
