Vinícius Júnior, of all individuals, shot Real Madrid into the spherical of 16 of the Champions League after the racism scandal within the first leg. The Brazilian offensive star, who scored 1-0 within the first duel Benfica Lisbon According to his personal statements, he was racially insulted by opponent Gianluca Prestianni, scored the profitable purpose (eightieth minute) within the playoff second leg on the Bernabéu in Madrid to make it 2-1 (1-1).
In the spherical of 16, the highest Spanish membership will face Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City. Defending champion Paris St. Germain can also be within the spherical of the very best 16 groups after profitable the playoff duel with AS Monaco, Galatasaray Istanbul can also be by means of. The draw will happen on Friday from 12 p.m. in Nyon (Switzerland).
Vinícius Junior as soon as once more scored the profitable purpose for Real
Lisbon’s Prestianni was based by the UEFA quickly suspended, so he was not obtainable for the second leg. An objection from the Portuguese was rejected by UEFA just a few hours earlier than kick-off. During the second leg, Madrid followers displayed a banner with the phrases “no al racismo” (“No to racism”). When Vinícius touched the ball, he was booed by the Benfica supporters touring with him.
Benfica have been additionally with out coach José Mourinho after his yellow-red card within the first leg; he was changed by assistant coach João Tralhão. Top French striker Kylian Mbappé was lacking from Real because of knee issues. So Benfica dominated the opening section and took the lead by means of Rafa Silva (14th), the equalizer by means of Aurélien Tchouaméni (sixteenth) adopted slightly later. Vinícius Júnior lastly accomplished a counterattack to attain the profitable purpose.
Real skilled a second of horror 1 / 4 of an hour earlier than the tip when Raúl Asencio needed to be carried off the sphere on a stretcher after a collision with a teammate.
Galatasaray are within the spherical of 16 for the primary time since 2014
Galatasaray Istanbul is within the spherical of 16 of the Champions League for the primary time because the 2013/14 season. The prime Turkish membership misplaced the second leg at Juventus Turin 2:3 (0:1, 0:3) after additional time, however dominated the primary leg 5:2. Galatasaray will face Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur within the subsequent spherical.
Manuel Locatelli (thirty seventh/foul penalty), Federico Gatti (seventieth) and Weston McKennie (82nd) scored for Juventus, the final two objectives have been scored by the outdated woman after Lloyd Kelly (fiftieth) was proven a crimson card when she was outnumbered. Victor Osimhen (105.+1) let Galatasaray breathe a sigh of aid. Ilkay Gündogan and nationwide participant Leroy Sané got here on as substitutes within the second half. Baris Yilmaz (119th) made the choice 2-3.
Defending champion PSG catches up once more
Paris St. Germain made up a deficit within the French duel in opposition to AS Monaco, identical to the 3-2 win within the first leg, and is within the spherical of 16 after a 2-2 (0-1). There PSG will face FC Barcelona or Chelsea FC.
As within the first leg, the 2025 Champions League winner additionally benefited from the opponent being despatched off. After Mamadou Coulibaly’s yellow-red card (59th), Paris equalized with the following free kick by Marquinhos (sixtieth), and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (66th) made it 2-1 slightly later. Maghnes Akliouche (45.+1) had given the visitors, for whom Thilo Kehrer was within the beginning line-up in opposition to his former membership, a 1-0 lead within the first half. Jordan Teze (90+1) managed to equalize for Monaco in stoppage time.
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https://www.zeit.de/news/2026-02/25/rassismus-vorfall-uefa-weist-benfica-einspruch-zurueck