The topic “Benfica vs Real Madrid” is currently trending, primarily due to the recent Champions League match that took place on February 17, 2026. This match garnered significant attention as it featured a notable victory for Real Madrid over Benfica, which was highlighted in multiple news reports.
One of the key reasons for the heightened search interest is the reported incident during the match where the game was halted due to alleged racist abuse. This incident has drawn considerable media coverage, thereby elevating public curiosity and prompting a surge in online searches related to the match.
Additionally, the publication of live score updates and detailed coverage from major sports outlets like BBC, The Guardian, and ESPN also contributed to the increased search volume. Fans and viewers seeking real-time information and specific match outcomes further fueled the spike in interest.
The combination of a high-stakes Champions League encounter, the controversial events during the match, and extensive media reporting has collectively led to over 500,000 searches for “Benfica vs Real Madrid” at this time.
Watch the Moment
Internet Reacts
D
I hope the Bernabeu will be able to respond to Benfica in the return leg.
A
End of the match, a match marred by things beyond the sport, but in terms of football, I rediscovered the experience and solidity of the Champions League, which is a pleasure.
F
Not all Argentinians, but almost ALWAYS an Argentinian…
O
What a shock he is Argentinian. Known racist. Why do you think Brazilians and don’t like Argentinians.
T
A gritty performance. I’ll take that. This season, we’ve usually lost games like these.
S
I dont know what Mourinho has to say about him being sent off. I dont know if I should commend the referee or criticize him for not penalizing Vini in the foul that led to Mourinho fuming and getting sent out. If he would have given Vini a second yellow and a red, I cant imagine what would happen. All in all, I’m glad we won and hopefully we finish this job at Bernabeu. We dominated them tonight.
U
Well the first yellow was a not real so unless it was an egregious foul the next “yellow” would be a warning.
C
A very professional performance, and the game is clearly overshadowed by racist slurs. Could maybe try to get the second goal, but understandable to keep the lead instead of risking a goal against. I just refuse to belive that you really can’t argue there is a massive bias toward Vini, over all and in this game especially. Defenders are constantly pressing and physically holding him back, which hardly leads to freekick. When Vini tries to win the ball, it gets instantly called a free kick even if it is shoulder on shoulder. The same kind of physical contact seldom leads to freekick for Vini but often freekick against Vini. Then he celebrates by dancing by the corner flag. Which is considered a yellow card. There is no evidence that Vini tried to provoke the crowd, or I don’t understand how you can claim that. It isn’t uncommon for players to dance after scoring, and it is definitely normal for Vini to dance after scoring. Any celebration of any goal is by definition provoking against the fans conceding a goal. So most celebrations should be yellow, but they are very rarely punished at all. He didn’t take off his shirt, he didn’t celebrate to stall time. At best Prestianni says something provocative, at worst it is a racist slur. If Vini gets a yellow for being provocative, then Prestianni should be getting yellow for that as well. A player in France said a player smelled bad. That was considered racist. It seems very clear that Vini heard mono, and some of the slows indicate that he said something along the lines of mono. How many times does Vini actually says to the ref that a player says something to him? If he gets provoked he pushes back. If he doesn’t get a freekick he moans the ref, but I have never seen him react that way. Prestianni could’ve cleared up everything with Vini clarifying what he was actually saying, or explaining himself. He didn’t. And that the ref can’t even give a yellow seems so insane. What kind of proof do they need? Mbappe was given yellow for saying something, he didn’t need any proof of that. Vini is perhaps provocative, he is flamboyant, he shows every emotions on his face and body language. But it is really no excuse for racism. The fact that Camavinga, Tchou and Rodrygo are more quiet and down to earth, doesn’t mean that Vini should act more like them in order to receive less racism. Those three have also talked about how much the slurs do affect them, they just don’t show that it does in an equal way. Prestianni is equally provocative, but he so clearly doesn’t get the same kind of treatment.
P
It’s so funny how Yamal and Raphinha dance in the corner whenever they score and get nothing, but Vini gets attacked for it, objects thrown, threats, and a yellow, lol.
R
And gets told by the referee to not go do a corner kick 🤦🏼♂️
F
That save from Courtois on that low driven shot was insane, and it’s also a shame that Mbappe didn’t score from Trent’s cross :/ Vini scored a crazy goal tho The Benefica fans however… absolutely shameful for them to throw stuff on the pitch
N
so everyone can score and dance in the corner but when vini does it, it’s a problem ?
W
yep it’s a joke by the ref, completely lost control of the game after that.
D
Vini getting 4 goals in the last 3 games is something that november-january us would never dream of
F
Watching the “UEFA Champions League Post Match Show” on CBSSN currently and things are popping off as the game finished. Guillem Balague is saying that things are getting a bit testy as to the events that apparently happened with Viní and Prestianni.
M
benficas gk close 2nd mvp
N
the whole world knows what that prick said to vini, i understand the no red card but he should be banned for spreading racism.
J
no concrete evidence since he covered his mouth apparently
N
yeah exactly there is no concrete evidence
J
Nothing will happen cause he is Argentinian and you know who is also Argentinian….
N
eminem and messi
J
Ohh nooo, you actually typed that name 😬 Argentina just earned another penalty in their opening game at the WC 😬
P
The way Vini got upset and Mbappe was extremely mad when he was with Vini just shows Prestianni said something that made two players standing next to him angry. Disgusting.
U
Vini and Camavinga were close but Vini told Mbappe then Prestianni lied to Mbappe that he didn’t say anything which was the reason for the strong reaction from Mbappe.
I
Vini is not a liar yes he jester but no lying
U
Some of Benfica staff are trying to get into Real Madrid locker and UEFA is stopping CBS from recording the staff arguing with security.
P
Shades of P$G’s awner trying to force his way into the locker room of the opposition, lol.
K
Can referees give cards for racist abuses/slurs?
J
I think only if the referee hears it himself can give a red on a cursing conversation
U
They can’t prove he said anything because he covered his mouth with shirt.
P
Of course, the problem is they’ll need proof for VAR to check, but Prestianni the coward covered his mouth so it’s a situation of he said they said.
Y
The midfield was absolutely dead after the incident. Man yall gotta feel sad for Vini carrying the ball alone with little to no help from Midfield. They just stand there watching Vini being man marked by 2-3 players & offer no passing option or make a run to take some pressure off
A
There was one sequence where Thiago received under pressure and so calmly progressed the ball. Would love to see more of him.
S
Great result for an away and disgusting environment and as luka once said “We will kill them at the Bernabeu”
M
Sorry to say, but why the argentinian players have such shitty behaviour??
3
Racism is strong in argentina for some reason
J
There is a reason a shitload of Nazi high ranking officers fled to Argentina after they lost WW2
T
Benfica need a long ban from UEFA competitions, especially after Benfica staff are trying to get into the players locker room
P
P$G’s awner got nothing when he tried to force his way into the locker room and destroyed doors. They won’t do anything about Benfica either.
M
where are you watching this?
T
CBS sports, the reporter was waiting to interview the players but they were arguing inside the tunnel. He said that UEFA was trying to get journalists out because Benfica staff were trying to go into Real Madrid’s locker room. I was watching it live
O
Sorry pathetic team can’t beat us on the pitch trying to abuse us from the stands
T
Phenomenal game from Tchouaméni, if it wasn’t for the Vini screamer he was the definite MOTM
T
He was everywhere today playing his heart out, lost count of how many successful tackles he had.
T
Especially in the 2nd half bro was everywhere in the midfield, blocking passes, bringing the ball upfield even contesting for headers he was a brick wall
A
Scoring more would’ve been better but under these circumstances, a lead’s good too 🙇
S
This post match drama is wild. Feels like a sketch
M
Looks like there’s still tension in there…
L
Is vini out next game for too many yellows??
A
benficas staff is tryna get into reals changing room? lord
Additional Sources:
BBC – Champions League LIVE: Real Madrid beat Benfica in match halted for alleged racist abuse
The Guardian – Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, Monaco 2-3 PSG, and more: Champions League – as it happened
