LISBON: Vinicius Junior scored a sensational goal to earn Real Madrid a 1-0 Champions League play-off first leg victory at Benfica on Tuesday, although the match was marred by apparent racist abuse aimed at the Brazilian.
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Having curled a stunning shot into the top corner in the 50th minute, Vinicius argued with Gianluca Prestianni, after which he complained to French referee Francois Letexier, who halted the match for more than 10 minutes as he applied the racism protocol.
Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni said Vinicius told his team-mates that Prestianni called him a “monkey.”
“Vini is doing good, calm,” Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa told Movistar.
