All articles tagged with #vinicius junior
Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-0 at RCDE Stadium thanks to Vinícius Júnior’s two goals to delay Barcelona’s title celebrations and set up a climactic Clásico next weekend. Madrid finally kept a clean sheet, Vinícius moved to 20 goals in all competitions (15 in La Liga), and a controversial red card incident involving Ómar El Hilal drew VAR scrutiny as the side heads toward the season’s finish.
Real Madrid came from behind to beat Atlético Madrid 3-2 at the Bernabéu in a pulsating Derbi Madrileño: Lookman put Los Rojiblancos ahead, Vinícius Júnior converted a second-half penalty and then netted the late winner after Nahuel Molina’s equaliser, with Fede Valverde sent off to leave Madrid with 10 men. The piece also notes Dani Carvajal’s uncertain form, Vinícius’s leadership in Mbappé’s absence, and Valverde’s suspension ahead of upcoming fixtures, with Andriy Lunin donning the captain’s armband due to injuries.
Real Madrid battled back to beat Atlético Madrid 3-2 in a high-octane Madrid derby, with Vinícius Júnior scoring twice (one from a penalty) and Fede Valverde adding the other before a late red; Atlético replied through Lookman and Nahuel Molina but Real held on.
Real Madrid beat Manchester City 2-1 to advance in the Champions League and now await Bayern Munich's qualification, with Bayern holding a 6-1 aggregate lead over Atalanta and favored to progress; Vinicius Junior energized by the prospect of a Bayern clash, declaring 'Let's take them on' as teams brace for suspensions and injuries ahead of the next legs.
Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals by beating Manchester City 1-0 in the second leg (4-1 on aggregate) after Vinícius Júnior converted a penalty following Bernardo Silva’s red card; Haaland had equalised for City, but Madrid held firm amid a chaotic night to seal the tie.
IFAB announced it will consider punishing players who cover their mouths while speaking to opponents ahead of the World Cup, after Vinicius Junior accused Gianluca Prestianni of racist abuse and allegedly spoke behind his shirt; Thibaut Courtois welcomed the idea as a potential solution, though officials warn enforcing it will be tough during fast-paced play, and lip-reading has long been used in investigations, underscoring how players shield private conversations in a highly scrutinized sport.
Vinícius Júnior's 80th-minute strike sealed Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Benfica at the Bernabéu, sending them 3-1 on aggregate to the Champions League last 16 despite away fans booing him after last week's racism controversy; Aurélien Tchouaméni had equalized after Rafa Silva's opener, and Madrid displayed anti-racism banners.
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, under UEFA review and with a provisional suspension, is set to claim Vinícius Júnior called him a 'dwarf' during the Champions League play-off with Real Madrid. Mbappé backs Vinínius’ account of the abuse, and Prestianni could face a ban of up to ten games for racial slurs and homophobic language under UEFA rules.
Osasuna beat Real Madrid 2-1 at El Sadar as Budimir converted a first-half penalty after Courtois saved, Vinícius Júnior leveled for Madrid in the second half, and Raúl Asencio sealed the win with a late finish after a setup from Raúl García.
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon with Vinícius Júnior scoring the winner, after a 10-minute stoppage due to racist abuse. Mourinho addressed the incident by saying he wouldn’t take sides, urged respectful celebrations, defended Benfica’s history, and noted that racism occurs in many stadiums while emphasizing his independence in judging the situation.
Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior scored a brilliant winner in Lisbon, but missiles, allegations of racist abuse from Benfica fans, and a hostile atmosphere dominated the night, prompting post-match debate, Mourinho’s comments, Mbappé’s remarks, and UEFA to review the incident.
Benfica clarifies its anti-racism stance as Mourinho cites conflicting accounts in a racism row involving Vinicius Junior and Gianluca Prestianni, prompting criticism from Kick It Out and support from FIFA president Infantino to investigate.
Mourinho claimed Vinicius Jr incited racist abuse during Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off with Benfica, contrasting his celebration with accusations of provocation. Vinicius said he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni after scoring; Prestianni denied the insult. Benfica argued the claims could not be heard in the footage. The remarks drew criticism from Seedorf and Henry, while UEFA said official reports are being reviewed.
Vinicius Junior reported alleged racist abuse by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid's 1-0 win, triggering a 10-minute stoppage; Mourinho sparked backlash by suggesting Vinicius celebrated disrespectfully and questioning whether Benfica is racist, comments described as a ‘big mistake’ by Seedorf and condemned by Alexander-Arnold. The incident drew further condemnation from Mbappe and Henry, with calls for urgent UEFA action ahead of the second leg.
Real Madrid’s Champions League knockout tie at Benfica was paused for 10 minutes after Vinicius Junior alleged racist abuse; following a discussion with referee Francois Letexier and an interaction with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, play resumed with Real Madrid leading 1-0. The match finished 1-0 after extended stoppage time (12 minutes), during which an object struck Vinicius. Vinicius posted a condemnation of racism on Instagram, while Pavlidis defended Prestianni and no further comments from him have been issued.