Tchouameni Hails Madrid Win as Victory Against Racism After Benfica Clash

By Eppe Franklyne

• Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 to reach Champions League last 16
• Tchouameni says result goes beyond football amid racism probe
• UEFA suspends Prestianni; Madrid expels fan over Nazi salute

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni described his side’s 2-1 victory over Benfica as a win for “everyone who is against racism” after sealing qualification for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League last 16.

The French international was referring to the first leg of the playoff tie, which Madrid won 1-0, a match overshadowed by alleged racial abuse directed at Vinicius Junior by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.

“We didn’t play our best match of the season, that’s for sure. But I think there are things more important than this match, and more important than football,” Tchouameni told reporters.

Prestianni was provisionally suspended by UEFA pending investigation, with Benfica’s appeal against the ban rejected earlier on Wednesday.

After the game, Vinicius posted on social media: “The dance continues,” alongside an image of a large “No to racism” banner displayed at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Real Madrid also confirmed it expelled one of its own supporters before kickoff for making a Nazi salute. The club said the individual was identified by security staff after appearing on television broadcast footage and was immediately removed from the stadium.

“Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expression that incites violence and hatred in sports and society,” the club said in a statement.

Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa expressed delight after Vinicius scored, especially in the absence of Kylian Mbappe. Arbeloa revealed Mbappe is sidelined with a knee injury but hopes the forward will return soon.

“I think we can call it an injury, but it seems, and I hope, that it’s not a very serious injury,” Arbeloa said, adding that the French star could be back in a matter of days or weeks.