Tunnel footage from Benfica vs Real Madrid emerges after claims of fight

Footage from the Estadio da Luz tunnel captured a tense moment involving Benfica president Rui Costa and a 'member of the Real Madrid delegation' following Tuesday night's Champions League action.

The knockout play-off tie between Real Madrid and Benfica was halted for around 10 minutes in the second half after Vinicius Jr accused Prestianni of racial abuse.

Prestianni appeared to say something to Vinicius as he covered his mouth with his shirt. The latter reported the incident to referee Francois Letexier, who made the crossed arms gesture to signal racist abuse.

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday night, Vinicius said that "racists are cowards", while Prestianni denied making a racist slur. "I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players," he added.

After such a heated game, which featured a red card for Benfica manager Jose Mourinho, it is said tensions spilt over into the Estadio da Luz tunnel.

Manolo Lama, a journalist from COPE, has claimed that Benfica president Rui Costa was involved in a physical altercation with a member of Real Madrid's delegation.

"I say there was a fight in that locker room, where the president of Benfica was," said Lama.

According to the report, the situation escalated when a member of Real Madrid's communications team was spotted recording a video of the situation between players from both teams.

Costa is said to have asked him to stop recording but when the Madrid employee refused, the president reportedly took his hand away from the camera, then placed his hand twice on his body, as if to say, 'Don't record anymore'."

Benfica have since denied the suggestions in a statement.

"It is completely false that the president of Sport Lisboa e Benfica was involved in any argument or physical confrontation with a member of Real Madrid," the club said. "This is a totally false and unfounded accusation."

Seguranças impedem Rui Costa de invadir o balneário do Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/I5J0EYUAP7

— Manuel Guedes (@ManuelGuedes666) February 18, 2026

Benfica's official social media channel has also responded to the racism allegations from Tuesday's game.

On social media platform X, the @SLBenfica account shared fan footage of Real Madrid players preparing for the game to get back underway and Vinicius Jr sprinting to the official to make the racism complaint.

In addition to the video, the club claimed: "As the images demonstrate, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard."