Vinícius Júnior, of all people, secured Real Madrid’s place in the round of 16 in the Champions League a week after the much-discussed racism scandal. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa’s Royals prevailed on Wednesday with a 2-1 (1-1) win in the playoff second leg against Benfica Lisbon.
Defending champion Paris St. Germain is also in the round of 16 thanks to a 2:2 (0:1) in the French duel against AS Monaco. Galatasaray Istanbul’s 2:3 (0:3, 0:1) after extra time at Juventus Turin was enough to move into the round of 16 for the first time since 2014.
For Real, who played without the injured Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouameni equalized (16th) after Rafa Silva had previously boosted Benfica’s hopes (14th). Viní Jr. then set the course for Real (80th) – and after his goal he danced at the corner flag like he had done a week before. Lisbon was without its suspended coach José Mourinho. And Gianluca Prestianni was also missing after the events of the previous week, which had also dominated the headlines before the reunion.
The first leg (0:1) was marked by scandal. Prestianni is said to have insulted Real star Vinícius after his goal, and he was then “provisionally” banned by UEFA.
Lots going on in Paris – Juve madness not rewarded
Like Benfica, Monaco didn’t hide at all after losing 3-2 in the first leg against PSG. A yellow-red card for AS midfielder Mamadou Coulibaly had a decisive effect (58th), immediately followed by the Paris double strike by Marquinhos (60th) and Chwitscha Kwarazchelia (66th) to make it 2-1. Monaco could no longer counter decisively.
Galatasaray, with substitutes Leroy Sané and Ilkay Gündogan, wasted their 5-2 lead despite having a long majority. Juve took the lead through Manuel Locatelli (37′ penalty). After a controversial sending off against Lloyd Kelly (47th), Federico Gatti (70th) and former Schalke player Weston McKennie (82nd) increased the score. In extra time, Gala responded with Victor Osimhen (105+1) and Baris Yilmaz (119).
The opponents for the round of 16 will be drawn in Nyon on Friday (12 p.m.). Real gets it on the 10th/11th. and 17th/18th March will be with either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City. PSG meets Hansi Flick’s FC Barcelona or Chelsea FC, Gala meets Liverpool FC or Tottenham Hotspur.
