Vinicius Junior scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid saw off a spirited Benfica 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, sealing a 3-1 aggregate victory and a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
On a nervous night in the Spanish capital, the Brazilian forward struck with 10 minutes remaining to settle a tie that Benfica, for long periods, had threatened to drag back to level terms. Real will now face either Sporting or Manchester City in the next round.
A backdrop dominated by Vinicius and Prestianni
The game had been overshadowed all week by Vinicius Jr's allegation that he was racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg in Lisbon, which Real won 1-0 thanks to a Vinicius goal. UEFA imposed a provisional suspension on Prestianni and dismissed Benfica's appeal on Wednesday afternoon, ruling him out of the return.