Brazilian seals 3-1 aggregate win as Real reach Champions League last 16

Vinicius Jnr scored the decisive goal to send Real Madrid into the last 16 of the Champions League as they beat Benfica 2-1 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

Vinicius started for Real eight days after the first leg of the Champions League play-off round tie in Lisbon, during which the Brazilian alleged Gianluca Prestianni racially abused him – something the Benfica player denied.

Real fans held up banners with messages of support for Vinicius, who had scored the only goal in Lisbon, before kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu.

And as the players took to the field, two forceful messages – “No to racism” and “Respect” – were read out.

Benfica made the perfect start, levelling the tie after 14 minutes through Rafa Silva, but Aurelien Tchouameni put Madrid back in charge with a powerful strike from distance.

But the defining moment belonged to Vinicius, who scampered through on goal to seal the hosts’ win with 10 minutes remaining. He wheeled away in celebration, soaking in the roar from the home support with a dance by the corner flag – a goal that effectively ended the contest and carried emotional weight and significance.

UEFA had imposed a provisional sanction on Prestianni on Monday, ruling him out of the tie, although the Argentinian winger had travelled to Madrid as part of the Benfica squad.