LISBON – February 17, 2026 | Real Madrid secured a vital 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off against Benfica at the Estádio da Luz.
A sensational second-half strike from Vinícius Júnior proved to be the difference on a night that was heavily overshadowed by racial abuse and a dramatic 12-minute match suspension.
Match Summary: Clinical Madrid Edges the Eagles
Under the guidance of Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid displayed a level of defensive solidity that was missing in their previous 4-2 defeat to the same opponent last month. While the first half ended goalless despite chances for Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler, the breakthrough finally arrived shortly after the interval.
- The Goal (50th Minute): Vinícius Júnior picked up the ball on the left, cut inside past two defenders, and unleashed a unstoppable “howitzer” into the top corner of Anatoliy Trubin’s net.
- The Record: This was Vinícius’ 31st career goal in the competition, making him the second-highest Brazilian scorer in UCL history, trailing only Neymar (43).
Valverde’s statements after Real Madrid’s win over Benfica
Valverde confirmed the gravity of the verbal abuse Vinícius faced from Benfica players, specifically pointing out the tactical way players hide their insults.
“We don’t know literally everything that was said, but according to all the teammates who were close, he [the opponent] said foul words that should never be uttered. It’s a shame. Covering the mouth while speaking usually means what you are saying is wrong.”
Valverde expressed his immense pride in how the squad rallied around the Brazilian winger:
- Squad Solidarity: “I am proud of my teammates who defended Vini, and proud of Vini himself for pushing forward despite everything.”
The Decision to Walk Off: “One Person Ruined the Show”
For the first time, a Real Madrid player explained the logic behind leaving the pitch after the 34th-minute incident. Valverde admitted that while leaving isn’t ideal for the “spectacle” of football, the situation had reached a breaking point.
- On Leaving the Pitch: “The team left because what happened is extremely serious. It has happened many times before. At this point, I don’t think leaving is an option that suits the joy of football, but there was one person who spoiled the match.”
- Hidden Abuse: Valverde noted that the abuse was constant and calculated: “He was saying things all game long, and no camera captured it.”
Tactical Analysis: Help from the Frontline
Away from the controversy, Valverde praised the defensive work rate of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, noting that their effort allowed the midfield to dominate.
“If we all run a little to press and recover the ball as quickly as possible, it becomes much easier. You have more energy and you are closer to the opponent’s area.”
He added: “We must focus on the game we played and the performance of Vini and Kylian; they helped us a lot defensively, and now we leave with a good result.”
