In a dramatic first playoff match for a quarterfinal ticket in the Champions League, Real Madrid clinched a 1-0 victory against Benfica in Lisbon, thanks to a stunning long-range goal from Vinícius Junior. The match, which started calmly, changed dramatically after halftime when Vinícius scored, leading to tumultuous scenes between players and fans. His celebration sparked chaos, with reports suggesting racist remarks directed at him from some Benfica fans, overshadowing the match's outcome.

The incident caused a significant disruption, halting play for around ten minutes as tension escalated on the pitch. Among the chaos, Benfica's head coach, José Mourinho, known for his past tenure at Real Madrid, was sent off with a red card for his protests before the final whistle. This incident indicates the charged atmosphere surrounding the matches and adds to the intensity expected in the return leg scheduled for February 25 in Madrid.

This victory, while crucial for Real Madrid, is likely to set the stage for an equally dramatic and highly charged rematch in Spain, as both teams will carry the weight of this event into their next encounter. The racial abuse controversy also brings to light the ongoing issues of racism in football, calling for further discussion and action beyond the match itself.