Raul Asencio was stretchered off in a neck brace in worrying scenes during Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Benfica. The defender collided with his own team-mate, Eduardo Camavinga, in the second half of the second leg of the contentious European play-off.
The Spaniard jumped for a header but made heavy contact with Camavinga and fell to the floor in pain. Camavinga also went down, but was able to return to his feet after receiving medical treatment. However, Asencio was put in a neck brace and appeared to clutch his chest when physios rushed to his side.
Asencio, 23 and a Madrid youth product, was replaced by David Alaba as Los Blancos sought to see out their advantage from the first leg.
He was given a round of applause from the crowd in the 77th minute as he was carried off the pitch by medical staff.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Camavinga was also replaced by Franco Mastantuono, but was able to walk off the pitch without any assistance. Only moments earlier, Antonio Rudiger required attention from the physios, but he could continue.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s outfit won 1-0 in Portugal, but the match was marred by alleged racial abuse of Vinicius Jr. He accused Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni of using a racial slur against him, with Prestianni suspended for the return leg by UEFA while an investigation takes place. He denies the accusation.
Benfica, with manager Jose Mourinho in the stands while serving his own ban, restored parity after just 14 minutes as Rafa Silva broke the deadlock in Spain.
However, their jubilation was short-lived as Aurelien Tchouameni equalised on the night only two minutes later, giving Madrid a lead in the two-legged play-off.
Vinicius Jr then extended his side’s aggregate lead with 10 minutes remaining, peeling off the defence and slotting a low effort past Anatoliy Trubin.
After nine minutes of stoppage time, Madrid’s victory was confirmed and they will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the last 16.