Real Madrid vs Benfica live: Team news and line-ups from Champions League play-off – UK Times

Prestianni was seen holding his shirt over his mouth during a heated exchange with Madrid players following Vinicius’s second-half goal in Lisbon. The Brazilian winger rushed to the referee to report what he claimed was racist abuse.

Vinicius had an altercation with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni after scoring the only goal of the game and told the referee that he had been the subject of racist abuse. The match was then paused following Uefa’s three-step racism protocol.

The second leg of the Champions League knockout play-off tie is due to kick off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday 25 February at the Estadio Bernabeu in Madrid.

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage on the channel from 7.30pm GMT. A live stream will be available via discovery+.

Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Guler; Vinicius, Mbappe.

Benfica XI: Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Aursnes; Lukebakio, Rafa, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.

Manager Jose Mourinho will not be in the touchline on his return to the Bernabeu having been sent off during the first leg. Dodi Lukebakio could replace the suspended Gianluca Prestianni.

Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is suspended, while Alvaro Arbeloa is also without the injured Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao and Dani Ceballos. Dean Huijsen is a doubt.

The game was halted for 10 minutes before resuming as Real Madrid took a 1-0 lead back to the Spanish capital.

It could be a curious atmosphere at the Bernabeu even with Prestianni not involved as both sides look to reach the round of 16.

Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of tonight’s Champions League play-off second leg between Real Madrid and Benfica.

Los Blancos hold a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg as they welcome the Portuguese giants to the Bernabeu, though much of the build-up to the second leg has covered the alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Jr by Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni, who is suspended tonight while Uefa investigate the allegations.

We’ll have all the latest build-up and updates for you right here.