Vinicius Scores Winner as Real Madrid Defeat Benfica to Reach Champions League Last 16

Real Madrid advanced to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 after defeating Benfica 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning 3-1 on aggregate. Vinicius Junior scored the decisive goal in the 80th minute and celebrated with a corner-flag dance, repeating his gesture from the first leg, which was marred by an alleged racial abuse incident involving Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, who denies the claim and was suspended for the second leg. Benfica, coached by a suspended Jose Mourinho, took an early lead through Rafa Silva, but Madrid equalized quickly via Aurelien Tchouameni. The match was played amid heightened emotions and UEFA investigations. Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain and Atalanta also progressed to the last 16, with Juventus eliminated after extra time.