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Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior hits out at 'cowards' after racism storm against Benfica

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SL Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni (L) is pictured next to Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior who later complained about alleged racists insults during the UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. (FILIPE AMORIM / AFP)

Match-winner Vinicius Junior hit out at "cowards" after accusing Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during Real Madrid's 1-0 Champions League play-off first leg victory in Lisbon on Tuesday.

The game was stopped for more than 10 minutes due to a racism protocol after Vinicius complained to French referee Francois Letexier about the alleged abuse following a confrontation between him and Prestianni.

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