Vinicius Writes Poetry (And History) At The Bernabeu; Mourinho Pays The Price

Last Updated:February 26, 2026, 19:41 IST

Vini Jr made history at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring in both legs against Jose Mourinho's Benfica -- which sealed the Portuguese side's exit from the UCL.

If anyone ever doubts that football can be poetic, point them to the Santiago Bernabeu.

With Benfica needing a miracle and Jose Mourinho searching for answers, it was only fitting that Vinicius Junior delivered the decisive blow for Real Madrid CF.

And the best part of it all? His goal didn’t just seal Benfica’s exit from the UEFA Champions League; it made history.

According to OptaJoe, Vinicius became the first player in Champions League history to score in both legs of a knockout tie against a Jose Mourinho side.

Why It Felt Like Revenge

The backstory added fuel to the fire.

In the first leg, Vinicius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racist slur at him — an allegation the Argentine strongly denied. Television cameras caught the pair exchanging heated words, with Prestianni covering his mouth during the confrontation.

Benfica publicly backed their midfielder, labelling the claims a “smear campaign." The match was briefly halted under anti-racism protocol as tensions escalated.

So when Vinicius struck in Madrid, it felt personal and symbolic. Not loud nor theatrical — just decisive.

Mourinho’s Absence — And A Harsh Streak

Mourinho, sent off in the fiery first leg, watched from afar. He skipped media duties, with assistant Joao Tralhao stepping in instead.

The defeat deepens a worrying European trend for the Portuguese manager: it marks his 10th straight loss in a Champions League knockout game, with his last such victory dating back to 2014 during his second spell at Chelsea.

For a coach once defined by knockout mastery, the numbers sting.

For Vini Jr, though, the night belonged entirely to him — as poetry came to life at the Bernabeu last night.

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