Viní Jr. brings star power, but worries abound for Real Madrid

MADRID – There was no Gianluca Prestianni at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, nor José Mourinho, but there was Vinícius Junior.

With Prestianni suspended as UEFA investigates claims the Benfica winger abused Vinícius in last week’s first leg, and Mourinho serving a touchline ban upon his return to his former club, the spotlight belonged to Vinícius. He responded by scoring an 80th-minute winner, confirming Real Madrid’s place in the UEFA Champions League round of 16, making the score 2–1 on the night and 3–1 on aggregate.

Madrid didn’t play well. They were less convincing than they had been a week earlier in Lisbon, and serious doubts remain over the team’s ability, on current form, to progress deep into this season’s knockout stage. But there is no doubt about Vinícius’ quality or his current performances. The forward followed his outrageous goal in last week’s 1-0 win at the Estadio da Luz – after which, he says, he was racially abused by Prestianni – with another equally valuable, if less spectacular, goal in Madrid.

Played by Federico Valverde, Vinícius took the ball, easily outpacing the Benfica defense, and calmly finished past goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. He then walked to the corner flag to replicate the goal celebration that Mourinho had criticized in Lisbon a week earlier, a huge smile on his face.

Vinícius has now scored in his last five appearances for Real Madrid. It was by far his best streak this season, and tied for his best career scoring streak. Under Álvaro Arbeloa he found himself, scoring as many goals in 10 games with the new coach as in 33 matches under Xabi Alonso’s troubled reign, which ended in January partly because of differences with Vinícius.

This is the best possible news for Madrid: the player who was so important in their last two Champions League victories, in 2022 and 2024, is back. But that may be the only good news at the moment.

Because it was a night where Madrid were defensively sloppy and disorganized in midfield, against unremarkable opposition. In this form, no one will consider them favorites to win the competition, since they have a record of 15 times. Benfica are third in the Portuguese league and, before Wednesday’s match, had lost six European matches this season, against all manner of opposition: Qarabag, Chelsea, Newcastle United, Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Madrid. But they still pushed Madrid too close to feel comfortable on those two legs.

– O’Halloran: The secret of Bodo/Glimt’s European success
– UEFA rejects Benfica’s appeal against Gianluca Prestianni ban
– Hunter: Could Mourinho coach Real Madrid again?

On Wednesday, Benfica created nine chances and had 12 shots, for an xG (expected goals) of 1.98, higher than Madrid’s of 1.11. Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made four saves, including one of exceptional quality against Benfica’s Richard Ríos in the first half.

Without Kylian Mbappé, sidelined with a lingering knee problem – Arbeloa said before the match that his absence “wouldn’t be a matter of days” – and Jude Bellingham, who is not expected to return until early April, Madrid are counting on Vinícius to provide star quality. On two legs, he kept his promises with insistence.

Before kick-off at the Bernabéu, supporters behind the stadium’s south goal held up a “No to racism” banner in a sign of solidarity with the player. The traveling Benfica fans responded by whistling loudly every time Vinícius touched the ball.

It was a tough assignment for Benfica right-back Amar Dedic. From the start, Vinícius seemed focused and dangerous. His first chance came just six minutes later, after a clever one-two with Arda Güler found him behind the Benfica defence.

After half an hour, Vinícius’ cross created a chance for Güler which would have made it 2-1 had the goal not been disallowed for offside. And before half-time, Vinícius had another driving run, beating Dedic, before lofting a threatening ball into the penalty area.

In the 80th minute, Vinícius scored and Madrid could finally feel secure with their 3-1 lead on aggregate. A season that began with Vinícius in and out of the starting XI, with questions over his long-term future and a recent three-month spell without him scoring, could yet end in another decisive moment.

“[Vinícius] “I had a great match,” Arbeloa told Movistar. “He threatened, he scored, he was dangerous. … We need him, even with Kylian, but without Kylian, we need him even more. He must be our leader.”

On Friday, Madrid will know whether they will face Manchester City or Sporting CP in the round of 16. City are all too familiar opponents. The two teams have met in five of the last six seasons.

“Whoever comes, it will be difficult,” Arbeloa said afterward. But there is no doubt that City would be the real test.