Benfica failed to qualify for the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, after being defeated 2-1 by Spanish side Real Madrid in the second leg of the play-off in Madrid.
After losing the first leg 1-0 in Lisbon, the ‘encarnados’ initially took the lead through Rafa Silva in the 14th minute, but the ‘merengues’ turned the match around with goals from Tchouaméni in the 16th minute and Vinícius Junior in the 80th.
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The tie was also marked by allegations of racist insults from Benfica winger Prestianni towards Brazilian Vinícius Junior during the first-leg match at Estádio da Luz, which led UEFA to provisionally suspend the Argentine for one game. Real Madrid, record holders with 15 Champions League trophies, secured their progression in the competition.
Real Madrid and Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, who eliminated Inter Milan in the play-off, are the potential opponents for Sporting in the round of 16, for which the Portuguese two-time champions qualified directly.
