MADRID (AP) — After being loudly booed, Vinicius Junior danced again. This time, it was in front of Real Madrid supporters while leading the team to the round of 16 of the Champions League, a week after he accused Benfica’s opponents of racial insults.
In the second leg, played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Vinicius scored in the 80th minute to give Madrid a 2-1 victory and a 3-1 aggregate victory over Benfica. champions league Playoffs Wednesday.
Vinicius celebrated by dancing by the corner flag. first leg In front of Benfica fans, it sparked a confrontation with Benfica players and accusations that Gianluca Prestiani called him a “monkey”.
“That’s our Vinicius,” said Madrid midfielder Aurélien Choameni, who scored Madrid’s first goal in the 16th minute, minutes after Benfica took the lead through Rafa Silva’s goal.
Mr Prestiani denies racially insulting Vinicius and has been defended by Benfica. Paused Disallowed by UEFA to play one game, the Argentine did not play on Wednesday despite traveling to the Spanish capital. UEFA early Wednesday morning Benfica’s last-minute appeal rejected I oppose the interim suspension.
Last week’s match was stopped for nearly 10 minutes after the referee introduced anti-racism rules following complaints from Vinicius.
On Wednesday, Vinicius broke free to score, calmly firing a low shot past the goalkeeper for his sixth goal in his last five games for Madrid.
big boo
More than 3,000 Benfica fans gathered at the Bernabéu, who jeered Vinicius almost every time he touched the ball early on. At one point, they celebrated when Vinicius lost control of the ball. When the Brazilian player’s name was announced in the starting lineup before the match, Benfica fans booed loudly.
As the match progressed, the boos gradually died down and Madrid took control of the match.
Last week, several Benfica fans were seen making monkey-like gestures from the stands after a match at the Stadium of Light.
Vinicius also took part in the build-up to Madrid’s second goal of the first half, but it was ruled out for offside.
anti racism banner
Before Wednesday’s match, Madrid fans held up banners that read “No to racism.” A banner reading “Respect” was also hung behind the goal at the Bernabéu.
There were also jeers from Madrid fans when Benfica’s central defender Nicolas Otamendi touched the ball. Fellow Argentine Otamendi was one of the players who confronted Vinicius after the Brazilian’s celebration with the Benfica flag.
Benfica were also without former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho, who was sent off at the end of the first leg for complaining to the referee. Mourinho did not take part in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference and was expected to watch the game from the stands at the Bernabéu.
Asensio injured
Madrid defender Raul Asensio had a violent collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga in the second half and was stretchered off the field and taken to a local hospital for tests.
The central defender was hit hard to the ground and was forced to stand on the field for several minutes. Medical staff immobilized him before removing him from the field.
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