Brazilian Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr scored the winner to qualify Real Madrid to the round of 16 stage of the UEFA Champions League.
Vinicius scored in the 80th minute off an assist from Federico Valverde to give Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Portugal’s SL Benfica. Madrid scored a 3-1 aggregate win in the process.
The game was played under the heavy cloud of the alleged racial abuse Vinicius suffered at the hands of Benfica’s Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni in the first leg.
Prestainni allegedly abused Vinicius racially after the latter celebrated after scoring the only goal of the game in the first leg.
Prestianni was suspended for the second leg tie by UEFA while investigations continue into the racial row that has generated a lot of controversies.
Though people like Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho believe Vinicius should celebrate modestly, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois believes otherwise.
“I’m glad Vini dances and keeps dancing, that means he’s scoring goals” Courtois said to ESPN after the game.
Real Madrid are set to play either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon in the next round. Scroll down for the full breakdown of the draw that takes place on Friday, February 27.
