With Vinicius Junior and Aurelien Tchouameni as the goalscorers, Real Madrid secured a 2-1 win over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League playoffs. Real Madrid and Benfica faced off Wednesday, February 25,

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.

Which is a pity on one hand because some of the football the play-off produced was excellent. Benfica came at Madrid like a swarm in the Bernabeu last night and rattled them in the early stages. It was only when Vinicius Jr scored on the break in the 80th minute, stretching Madrid’s aggregate lead to 3-1, that those in white were free to breathe.

Real Madrid are heading through to the Champions League Round of 16, having taken the lead on the night against Benfica at the Bernabeu.It was a tricky start, and on 14 minutes, Benfica struck the

Vinicius Junior was back on the score sheet for Real Madrid - but the Brazilian was not able to prevent the Spanish league leader from falling to a surprise 2-1 loss to Osasuna.

MADRID — After being loudly booed, Vinícius Júnior danced again. This time in front of Real Madrid supporters while leading his team to the round of 16 of the Champions League, a week after accusing a Benfica opponent of racially insulting him.

Lucas Paqueta believes Vinicius Junior will eventually follow him back to Flamengo. The Brazil international has already completed his own return to the Rio de Janeiro club this winter, reigniting excitement among supporters who grew up watching him emerge from their academy.

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni is expected to claim he used homophobic language against Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior after allegedly being called a dwarf by the Brazilian. The first leg of last week's knockout round play-off in the Champions League was marred by claims of racist abuse against the Argentine,