UEFA launch investigation after explosive racism incident in Benfica and Real Madrid Champions League match

However, what unfolded next ultimately ended up being the biggest talking point of the night.

After scoring, Vinicius alleged that he'd been racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni - who was seen holding his shirt over his mouth as the pair stood near the centre circle.

Real Madrid players then appeared reluctant to play on, with many attempting to confront Prestianni while chaos both on the pitch and in the stands erupted.

After a 10-minute delay that saw Jose Mourinho speak with Vinicius, the fixture ultimately resumed with Real going on to secure victory.

Now, however, UEFA have announced that they're investigating the matter. A short statement read: "A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector has been appointed to investigate allegations of discriminatory behaviour during the UEFA Champions League 2025/2026 Knock-out Play-Off between Club Benfica and Real Madrid CF on 17 February 2026.

"Further information regarding this matter will be made available in due course."

Prestianni, who has emerged as a key player for Mourinho this season, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The 20-year-old, writing on social media, said: “I want to clarify that at no point did I direct racist insults at the player Vinicius Junior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thinks he heard.

“I have never been racist towards anyone.”

Vinicius Jr, however, has stuck to his guns with the 25-year-old releasing a statement of his own branding his Benfica rival a 'coward'.

“Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are," he said.

“But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team’s life.

“I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.

“I don’t like to appear in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”

Mourinho, meanwhile, staunchly defended his young midfielder and pointed the finger at Vinicius - insisting he'd wound up Benfica players by dancing after his goal.

"It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal in a good game," he said.

"These talents are able to do these beautiful things but unfortunately he [Vinicius] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal and then the game was over. When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way."

When asked if Vinicius had 'incited' the home crowd and players, he continued: "Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don’t comment about it.

"I told him [Vinicius] that when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back.

"And then when he was arguing about racism I told him the biggest person in the history of this club was black [Eusebio]. This club, the last thing it is is racist, so if in his mind it was something in relation to that, this is Benfica."