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Champions League

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Champions League news

Borussia Dortmund v Atalanta BC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Guirassy explains emotional t-shirt message after goal in Dortmund win

Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy was the undisputed hero on the pitch during the 2-0 Champions League victory over Atalanta, but it was his actions after finding the back of the net that truly resonated. After enduring a frustrating dry spell earlier in the campaign, the Guinean international has hit a rich vein of form, netting six goals in his last four competitive outings. However, his latest strike was accompanied by a poignant tribute that revealed a deeply personal struggle behind the scenes.

S. GuirassyBorussia Dortmund
Vinicius Jr Thierry Henry

Henry calls on Prestianni to tell truth about Vinicius incident

Thierry Henry has called on Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni to tell the truth about his altercation with Vinicius Junior during Tuesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid at the Estadio da Luz. Vinicius has alleged that Prestianni directed a racial slur at him during the game, which led to the match being halted for 10 minutes. Henry has now responded with an emotional speech regarding the continued prevalence of racism in football.

Vinicius JuniorG. Prestianni
Jose Mourinho Vinicius Junior racism row GFX

Hypocrite Mourinho hit new low with Vinicius racism row reaction

Did Gianluca Prestianni racially abuse Vinicius Junior at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night? We don't know. Not yet at least. And that's mainly because the Argentine very deliberately covered his mouth with his shirt as he exchanged words with Vinicius after being inexplicably enraged by the Brazilian celebrating his 50th-minute goal with a little dance in front of the corner flag.

OpinionReal Madrid
Nicolas Otamendi Vinicius Jr

'Messi won that for you!' - Otamendi roasted for taunting Vinicius

The fiery Champions League encounter between Benfica and Real Madrid has sparked a war of words off the pitch, with former Los Blancos midfielder Wesley Sneijder leading the charge. The Dutch legend did not hold back in his assessment of Nicolas Otamendi’s behaviour during the clash at the Estádio da Luz, where the veteran defender was seen taunting Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior following a heated exchange on the field. The tension reached boiling point during a stoppage related to the competition's racism protocol, during which Otamendi chose to flex his ink in the face of the Real Madrid winger. The former Manchester City man pointed specifically to his tattoos commemorating Argentina's recent triumphs, including the 2022 World Cup, the Finalissima, and the Copa America, in an apparent attempt to pull rank over the young Brazilian regarding international honours.

Vinicius JuniorReal Madrid
Vinicius-Mourinho-Benfica fans

Benfica fans spotted directing racist gestures at Vinicius Jr

Benfica fans have been spotted directing racist gestures at Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior during Tuesday's Champions League clash with Los Blancos. An ugly night at the Estadio da Luz also saw the match halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr reported alleged racist abuse to the match referee after an altercation with Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni.

Vinicius JuniorReal Madrid
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FBL-EUR-C1-BENFICA-REAL MADRID

Benfica defend Prestianni amid Vinicius racism row

The fallout from a volatile Champions League knockout phase playoff clash between Benfica and Real Madrid has taken a dramatic turn, as the Portuguese giants have moved to publicly defend Gianluca Prestianni. The fallout from the match, which was marred by serious allegations of racism directed at Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, has descended into a series of public statements and finger-pointing. After Prestianni initially denied the accusations, Benfica took to social media to offer an unwavering show of solidarity with their young Argentine midfielder.

Vinicius JuniorReal Madrid
Galatasaray-vs-Juventus-Champions-League-2025-26-KO-play-offs-1s

VIDEO: Osimhen rages at Galatasaray teammates after Juventus demolition

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen left fans bewildered after footage emerged of him furiously berating his own team-mates moments after the final whistle of their stunning 5-2 Champions League victory over Juventus. Despite the Turkish giants securing a commanding first-leg lead in the knockout round play-off, the Nigerian forward appeared incensed, sparking suggestions that his failure to get on the scoresheet had soured the historic night.

V. OsimhenGalatasaray
FBL-EUR-C1-MONACO-PSG

Another setback for Dembele! PSG star forced off in UCL

Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele suffered yet another injury setback on Tuesday in the Champions League. The Ballon d'Or winner lasted just 27 minutes of PSG's Champions League knockout stage play-off clash against Monaco before having to be replaced. Desire Doue took over from Dembele and scored twice in a 3-2 first-leg win for Luis Enrique's side at the Stade Louis II.

O. DembeleParis Saint-Germain
Jose Mourinho & Vinicius Junior

Mourinho accused of 'justifying racism' with Vinicius comments

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho has been accused of "justifying racism" following his comments on Vinicius Junior after Tuesday's Champions League between his side and Real Madrid. The game had to be halted for 10 minutes after the Brazil international alleged a racial slur had been directed at him by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni after he had scored what turned out to be the winning goal.

J. MourinhoVinicius Junior
FBL-EUR-C1-BENFICA-REAL MADRID

Vini Jr issues statement accusing 'coward' Prestianni of racial slur

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has issued a statement accusing Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racial slur at him during Tuesday's clash between the two sides in the Champions League. Vinicius scored the winning goal early in the second half at the Estadio da Luz but the game was subsequently stopped for 10 minutes after the Brazil international reported alleged racist abuse to match referee Francois Letexier.

Vinicius JuniorG. Prestianni

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SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Mourinho points finger at Vinicius after alleged racist abuse

Jose Mourinho has sensationally claimed that Benfica 'cannot be a racist club' after Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior accused one of his players of abuse during Los Blancos' 1-0 win over the Portuguese side in the Champions League knockout play-offs. Instead, the former head coach of the Spanish club has claimed that the Brazilian international incited Tuesday night's chaos in Lisbon.

J. MourinhoVinicius Junior
Real Madrid - HIC - 2:1

Vini has the last laugh - but UCL win completely overshadowed

Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of an otherwise controversial fixture as Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off. The Brazilian forward's second-half strike was followed by a lengthy delay for an alleged racist remark from a Benfica player to Vinicius. Play continued, and Madrid held on for a crucial lead in the tie.

Player ratingsReal Madrid
SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Vini Jr goal sparks UCL chaos as Benfica player is accused of racism

Real Madrid's Champions League play-off clash against Benfica descended into chaos after Vinicius Junior gave Los Blancos the lead in the first leg in Lisbon. The Brazilian winger fired in an unstoppable opener just five minutes into the second half, but his celebration sparked ugly scenes and a 10-minute delay ensued as the goal-scorer accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racism.

Real MadridBenfica
FBL-EUR-C1-MONACO-PSG

WATCH: USMNT's Balogun makes UCL history with knockout brace

Folarin Balogun scored two goals inside 18 minutes in Monaco's Champions League knockout round playoff with Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain. The goals were Balogun's fourth and fifth in the Champions League this season and among the most vital scored in the striker's career. Balogun is the first American with a brace in a UCL knockout game.

USAF. Balogun
FBL-EUR-C1-BENFICA-PRESSER

Mourinho explains 'special' Benfica exit clause amid Madrid return talk

Jose Mourinho is preparing for an emotional reunion as his Benfica side host Real Madrid in a high-stakes Champions League play-off on Tuesday. With "The Special One" dominating the pre-match narrative, speculation is mounting over a potential return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Amidst the noise, the Portuguese manager has finally addressed the rumours and clarified the existence of a unique clause in his contract that has Europe’s elite on high alert.

BenficaReal Madrid
Shevchenko social

Hall of Fame: How Shevchenko became a Milan legend

For a particular generation of AC Milan fans, those who grew up in the early 2000s, one name stands out above any other. Andriy Shevchenko combined technical skill with a ruthlessness in front of goal that made him one of the best strikers the game has ever seen, a Ballon d'Or winner and a worthy entrant into GOAL's Hall of Fame...

AC MilanA. Shevchenko
Jose Mourinho Real Madrid GFX

Why Madrid shouldn't rule out re-hiring Mourinho

No one can create a siege mentality like Jose Mourinho. Benfica were almost universally written off when they welcomed Real Madrid to Estadio da Luz in the final round of league phase fixtures for this season's Champions League, having lost five of their first eight games, including a shocking 3-2 home defeat to Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag.

OpinionReal Madrid
Jose Mourinho

Mourinho: 'Wounded kings' Madrid will be dangerous

Jose Mourinho is bracing for a backlash, warning that Real Madrid will be "dangerous" as they prepare to face his Benfica side in a high-stakes Champions League play-off. The Special One finds himself on the opposite side of the touchline, looking to inflict more misery on his former employers following a shock victory in the League phase. However, despite the magnitude of the occasion, the Portuguese tactician insists he is unfazed, citing his lifetime of experience in Europe's elite competition as the key to navigating the tie.

J. MourinhoReal Madrid
SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8

Trubin opens up on 'crazy' goal vs Real Madrid

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin is still processing the moment he became an unlikely Champions League hero. The Ukrainian shot-stopper opened up about the chaotic confusion in the dugout before his 98th-minute header secured a stunning 4-2 victory over Real Madrid, which earned a classy post-match gesture from Thibaut Courtois.

BenficaA. Trubin

Frequently asked questions

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