Real Madrid Edge Benfica Amid Racism Controversy.

Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Benfica at the Estadio da Luz, with
Vinicius Junior’s stunning 50th-minute strike proving decisive.
The night, however, was overshadowed when the Brazil forward reported alleged
racist abuse, prompting a 10-minute halt as he and his team-mates walked off in
protest.
“Racists are, above all, cowards,” Vinicius said on Instagram after the match.
“Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team’s life.”
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni denied the allegations. “I was never racist with anyone
and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players,” he said.
Despite objects being thrown from the crowd during stoppage time, Real held on to
take a vital advantage ahead of the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on
Wednesday, 25 February at 21:00 WAT.