Just a couple of weeks ago, it was all love and camaraderie at the Estadio da Luz after goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a late goal to send Benfica into the elimination playoff while denying Real Madrid an automatic top eight slot.

Despite the loss and the controversial manner of which the free-kick for the late goal was earned, Thibaut Courtois, one of the senior figures at Madrid took his time to congratulate his opposite number despite their own predicament, but there was nothing of such last night in the same venue, between the same clubs.

Real Madrid established a 1-0 advantage over Benfica in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League elimination playoff, but the highlights of the night in Estádio da Luz were more about the behavior of fans and professionals that frustrated referee Mr. Francois Letexier all night long.

A peaceful game turned into pure chaos after Vinicius Junior gave the visitors the lead five minutes into the second half. The Brazilian was initially booked for his gesture towards the home fans, who had been giving him some stick all night, but what followed led to a 10-minute delay.

The winger claimed to have been racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni, informed the referee, and refused to continue with play, leading to a lengthy pause in play before it eventually resumed after the intervention of officials, although more is still to be known about the incident.

The incident made the Brazilian a villain for the rest of the game as the home fans booed him at every touch, while they turned more violent as the game approached its end, with bottles and other materials being hurled at him.

A game that had several interesting narratives to make good headlines failed to live up to the hype in play, as Jose Mourinho, who was marking a record of becoming the first coach to lead seven different teams in the Champions League knockout stage, was sent off after having a go at the referee.

Gianluca Prestianni was also booked for simulation after he tried to win a penalty by going down under no contact from Eduardo Camavinga, while Vinicius was also lucky to avoid a second booking, an incident that led to the sending off of Jose Mourinho due to boundless protests.

Another incident that will surely catch the eyes of UEFA, after the Portuguese manager clarified at full-time, saying; “I got sent off because I told him (the referee) I knew he had a note that said "you can't book Huijsen, Carreras and Tchouaméni", because then they'd be suspended. I know how these things work."

The referee could not wait to end the game, even though the ball was barely in play in the 12 added minutes, as play was severely impacted by the angry home fans, who threw things onto the pitch and at Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.

What was said at full-time 

Jose Mourinho accused Vinicius Junior of inciting the controversy, citing the player's gesture when celebrating his goal as the cause of the melee that followed, and further stated that this happens in every stadium the Brazilian plays.

“When it happens in so many stadiums, always the same, there is something wrong. I told Vinicius ‘you scored a wonder goal like that, why did you celebrate like that? Why don’t you celebrate it like Di Stéfano, like Pele, Eusebio? I don’t understand.”

Kylian Mbappé confirmed that Gianluca Prestianni did utter the racist word 'mono' to Vinicius five times, stating; “After Vini's goal and the celebration, Benfica's number 25, I won't say his name because he doesn't deserve to have me say his name out loud, started using some unacceptable words.

He called Vini a m*nkey five times! Five times!”

The Argentine youngster has also refuted the claim, "I want to clarify that at no point did I direct any racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard”.

"I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players".

Vinicius Jr. meanwhile remained adamant and further went to condemn racism via a social media post after the game.

“Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are”.

“But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them”.

Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team's life. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why”.

“On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose”.

“I don't like to appear in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it's necessary”.

The incident has also triggered reactions across the world of football. French icon Thierry Henry urged fans to look beyond Vinicius's celebration and not even think about it but be critical about what was said by Prestianni, and why he had to cover his mouth to say it.

Jamie Carragher criticized the comments of Jose Mourinho, condemning Vini's celebration, “It (the comment) feels a bit rich coming from Jose, we know the way he celebrates himself. Vinicius is entitled to celebrate how he wants.”

UEFA sanctions loom for Benfica 

For Benfica, the night would surely not end there, because UEFA is bound to take action against their fans, who failed to maintain proper conduct, and now risk missing the second leg in the Bernabéu.

Nevertheless, the chaos didn't end there. Investigation will also continue to learn what really transpired between Vinicius Jr and Prestianni, with emphasis on learning if the Argentinian indeed uttered the word 'mono' as claimed by Vini and Mbappé.

Although none of the players will miss the second leg due to suspension, despite the unusually high number being at risk of it on the night, Benfica will be without their manager for the return leg in Spain next week.

The manager could also be set to serve a longer ban due to his comments about the referee, and with Real Madrid holding a 1-0 advantage ahead of the return leg at home, that may be the last we'll see of the former Los Blancos manager in this season's Champions League.

Between now and next Wednesday night, UEFA may have made a decision that'll affect both fans and players, but however it is, Benfica will be more impacted by a potential decision, because their fans, and a player, are at a vulnerable position given the events of the night.