Mourinho questions Vinícius celebration after tense Champions League clash in Lisbon

• José Mourinho criticised Vinícius Júnior’s goal celebration during Real Madrid’s win at Benfica
• The match was halted after the forward alleged racial abuse from a Benfica player
• Mourinho was sent off late and will miss the second leg at the Bernabéu

José Mourinho criticised Vinícius Júnior’s reaction to scoring the decisive goal in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over Benfica, as a heated confrontation overshadowed an otherwise high quality contest in Lisbon.

Vinícius struck in the fiftieth minute at the Estadio da Luz to give Real Madrid a one-nil lead in the first leg of the tie. The forward celebrated by dancing near the corner flag before becoming embroiled in a dispute with several Benfica players, including Gianluca Prestianni. Vinícius subsequently accused Prestianni of racial abuse, prompting the referee to activate UEFA’s anti racism protocol.

The match was delayed for ten minutes as Mourinho spoke with both players on the pitch before play eventually resumed. The Portuguese coach was later dismissed in the eighty-fifth minute and will be suspended for the return leg at the Bernabéu.

Speaking after the game, Mourinho said he could not verify either version of events.

“Vinícius says one thing and Prestianni says another,” Mourinho told Movistar. “I cannot say I fully support one or the other because I do not know the truth. What I do know is that until the goal, it was a great match. Benfica started very well and Real Madrid were very strong. Vinícius scored a goal that only he or Kylian Mbappé can score. After that, he should have left on his teammates’ shoulders instead of engaging with sixty thousand people.”

Mourinho also appeared to reference the repeated racist abuse Vinícius has endured in Spanish stadiums, which has led to several prosecutions.

“He is an extraordinary player and I love him,” Mourinho added. “But when you score a goal like that, that is where the game should end.”

The Benfica coach expanded on his remarks in his post match press conference.

“Something is not working,” he said. “Why did he not celebrate like Eusébio, Pelé or Di Stéfano. He scored a fantastic goal.”

Mourinho was also asked about his red card, which he said followed a confrontation with the referee over disciplinary decisions.

“I was sent off for saying something very obvious,” he explained. “The referee had a list of players he could not book. After so many years on the bench, you understand how these things work.”

The incident ensured the focus shifted away from the football, despite Real Madrid taking a slender advantage into the second leg. UEFA is expected to review the events in Lisbon as part of its standard reporting procedures.

WRITTEN BY

Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.

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