Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16 after triumphing 3-1 on aggregate against Benfica, winning the second leg 2-1 at home. Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Junior scored for Real Madrid in the second leg against Benfica, according to reports. Benfica's Rafa Silva scored the opening goal in the second leg, sources indicate. The match was preceded by racial abuse allegations from the first leg, where Vinicius Jr alleged he was racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni. Prestianni was handed a one-match ban and missed the second leg against Real Madrid, as reported. A banner with the words 'no to racism' in Spanish was displayed in the stands before the second leg kick-off, according to sources. The exact nature and severity of the allegations, as well as any further disciplinary actions, have not been publicly detailed, and Prestianni's response remains unknown.
Trent Alexander-Arnold started the second leg against Benfica, reports show. Spanish publication Sport rated Trent Alexander-Arnold's performance as five out of 10. Spanish publication Marca praised Trent Alexander-Arnold for a decisive interception but partly blamed him for Benfica's opening goal. Alexander-Arnold was benched for the subsequent Madrid derby because he came late to a training session, according to Marca. The duration of his benching or further consequences has not been specified.
He didn't need to score to send a message or show his mentality.
Real Madrid won a Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid 3-2, according to reports. Vinicius Junior scored two goals in the Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid, sources indicate. Kylian Mbappé missed the Madrid derby through injury, as reported. The exact nature and severity of Mbappé's knee injury remain unclear.
Benfica's domestic form showed resilience, with Andreas Schjelderup scoring from a penalty in a derby against Sporting, and Benfica winning 2-1 with a late goal by Rafa Silva, according to sources. Benfica moved past Sporting in the league table and is four points behind Porto after the win against Sporting, reports show.
He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone because he's shown time and time again how good he is.
He steps up when we need him the most. He knows his quality and what he brings to the team.