Real Madrid secured a place in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Benfica 2-1 in the second leg of their play-off clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. With a 3-1 aggregate score across both legs, the Spanish giants moved comfortably into the next round, with Vinicius Junior playing a decisive role.
Vinicius was under intense scrutiny before the match. After scoring in the first leg, he was racially abused by some Benfica supporters, who allegedly called him a monkey. Reports also claimed that certain Benfica players taunted him. As a result, Benfica’s Prestianni was unable to feature in the second leg. Real Madrid fans displayed posters inside the stadium urging an end to racist remarks. On the pitch, however, Vinicius remained focused and delivered when it mattered.
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Benfica opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Although Thibaut Courtois prevented an own goal, Rafa Silva converted the rebound to give the visitors the lead. Real Madrid responded quickly, equalising just two minutes later through Aurelien Tchouameni, who curled in a strike from outside the box- his first goal in the Champions League. The score stayed 1-1 for much of the contest, with Real’s attack missing rhythm in the absence of Kylian Mbappe.
In the 80th minute, Vinicius sealed the win with a low shot from the right side of the box, confirming Real’s progression.
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Juventus, meanwhile, bowed out despite a 3-2 second-leg win over Galatasaray. Having lost 5-2 in the first leg, the Italian side were eliminated 7-5 on aggregate. Galatasaray advanced to the Round of 16 for the first time since the 2013-14 season.
Other second-leg results saw PSG draw 2-2 with Monaco but lose 5-4 on aggregate, Atalanta beat Dortmund 4-1 to win 4-3 overall, Bodo/Glimt eliminate Inter 5-2 on aggregate, Bayer Leverkusen progress 2-0 on aggregate against Olympiacos, Newcastle advance 9-3 overall against Qarabag, and Atletico Madrid defeat Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate.
