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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
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
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Vinicius Jr GFX

Vini Jr 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: Balogun scores two in 18 minutes in UCL clash with PSG

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

Betting spotlight

4 value bets for the Champions League last-16 tie
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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...

Hall of FameAC Milan
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
Real Madrid CF v Real Sociedad - LaLiga EA Sports

Real Madrid offer Mbappe injury update after striker sits out win

Real Madrid have issued an injury update on star striker Kylian Mbappe ahead of their meeting with Benfica on Tuesday night. The Spanish giants play the Portuguese side in their Champions League playoff clash as the two sides vie to secure a spot in the last-16 of Europe's elite club competition. The fixture sees the sides meet just weeks after Benfica's dramatic 4-2 win over Los Blancos in the group phase.

K. MbappeReal Madrid
Roberto De Zerbi Marseille GFX

Would De Zerbi really be able to hack a top-level job?

The official confirmation of Roberto De Zerbi's Marseille departure arrived at 2:35 on Tuesday morning. In that sense - and that sense alone - the timing of the news was odd. But there was nothing else remotely surprising about De Zerbi's exit. It had been coming for some time, and Sunday's humiliating 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes was obviously the final nail in De Zerbi's coffin.

OpinionR. De Zerbi
Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg

Exclusive: PSG 1996 vs 2026! Ginola reveals only similarity

Paris Saint-Germain legend David Ginola has admitted it is largely impossible to compare the club from previous decades to today’s iteration of European champions, though conceded there is one main similarity. PSG finally won their first Champions League title at the end of last season, becoming only the second French side to lift the trophy, with a team featuring stars such as Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha. Ginola was speaking to GOAL at PSG's new 'La Maison' experience in at a townhouse in London. The hope is that a new audience will be able to discover the club's "creative universe" built around sport, culture and Parisian lifestyle.

Paris Saint-GermainD. Ginola

Frequently asked questions

Los Angeles Galaxy have claimed the MLS title six times, more than any other club in the league's history. They first triumphed in 2002, and later went on to secure victories in 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2024, solidifying their dominance in Major League Soccer.

There are 30 teams in Major League Soccer as of the 2025 season. The league has seen steady expansion since its inception in 1996, when it began with just 10 teams. Over the years, it has added clubs across the US and Canada to reach its current size.

Nick Rimando holds the record for the most MLS appearances, having played 514 matches over the course of his career, which spanned from 2000 to 2019 with clubs like D.C. United, Miami Fusion, and Real Salt Lake.

Chris Wondolowski holds the record as the all-time top scorer in Major League Soccer, with 171 goals to his name. His scoring prowess helped establish him as one of the league's most iconic forwards during his career.

Landon Donovan leads the league's all-time assist charts with 136 assists. His playmaking ability was a key factor in his team's success over the years.

Pat Onstad is the oldest player to have ever featured in Major League Soccer, appearing in the league at the age of 43 years, 2 months, and 22 days. The game was when he featured in goal for DC United.

Cavan Sullivan made history as the youngest-ever player in MLS, debuting for his team at the age of 14 years and 293 days. His introduction to professional football at such a young age has set the stage for a promising future.

Famous players who have played in MLS include stars like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Kaka, David Villa, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andrea Pirlo.

MLS' most famous managers include renowned figures like Bruce Arena, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Frank de Boer, and Tata Martino.

The Bank of America Stadium, originally inaugurated as Ericsson Stadium in 1996, stands as the largest venue in Major League Soccer, boasting an impressive capacity of 75,412 seats. It is home to Charlotte FC.

Argentine World Cup-winning attacking midfielder Thiago Almada is the most expensive MLS signing of all-time. Atlanta United bought Almada from Velez Sarsfield for around $16 million, in 2022.

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