Champions League: Vinicius scores again as Real Madrid defeats Benfica to advance to Round of 16
The Hindu
Vinícius leads Real Madrid past Benfica, while PSG and Atalanta also advance in an intense Champions League round of 16.
With the winning goal and another corner-flag dance, Vinícius Júnior fittingly had the final say in an emotionally charged rematch with Benfica to guide Real Madrid into the round of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain also advanced out of the playoffs — but only after narrowly getting past Monaco — while Atalanta pulled off a remarkable comeback against Borussia Dortmund with a dramatic last-second goal to maintain Italian involvement in the competition.
Juventus fell short of completing its own stunning second-leg recovery, though, eliminated by Galatasaray after extra time.
Playing a week after being the target of alleged racial abuse in the first leg against Benfica, Vinícius wrapped up Madrid's 2-1 win over the Portuguese team — and a 3-1 victory on aggregate — with his team's second goal in the 80th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The Brazil star slotted a low finish into the corner and celebrated his goal like he did last week, by dancing beside the corner flag.
Vinícius was loudly booed by Benfica fans nearly every time he touched the ball, a hangover from the first leg when he accused Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni of calling him a "monkey".
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