Rafael Nogueira
UEFA has officially appointed Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić to officiate the Champions League playoff second leg between Real Madrid and Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu (Wednesday, 21:00 CEST).
This will be the fourth time Vinčić referees a Champions League match involving Real Madrid — and his appointment adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already tense European night.
Vinčić’s Previous Champions League Matches with Real Madrid
| Season | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid (Final) | 0-2 |
| 2024/25 | Real Madrid vs Milan (Group Stage) | 1-3 |
| 2025/26 | Real Madrid vs Juventus (Group Stage) | 1-0 |
Notably, Vinčić officiated Madrid’s 2024 Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley — a major endorsement of UEFA’s trust in his authority at elite level.
Earlier this season, he also handled Madrid’s 1-0 win over Juventus at the Bernabéu.
Overall Champions League Experience
Born on 25 November 1979, Vinčić has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010. His UEFA résumé includes:
- Referee of the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final (Wembley)
- Referee of the 2022 UEFA Europa League Final
- UEFA Euro 2020 (including Italy vs Belgium quarter-final)
- FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage matches
- UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final (Spain vs France)
By 2025, Vinčić had officiated more than 40 Champions League matches, including multiple knockout-stage ties. He is widely regarded as a referee comfortable managing high-intensity fixtures.
Benfica Record Under Vinčić
For Benfica, this will be his seventh European match involving the Portuguese side. Their record under him stands at:
2 Wins – 3 Draws – 1 Loss
The lone defeat came against Chelsea in the Club World Cup. While not alarming, Benfica have not consistently thrived under his officiating.
VAR and Officiating Team
The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the match will be Italian official Daniele Chiffi.
Given the heated first leg — including the alleged racial abuse incident reported by Vinícius Júnior — VAR involvement could play a significant role should any controversial situations arise.
Disciplinary Trends & Style
Vinčić is known for maintaining firm control in high-profile matches. In recent European competitions:
• He issued nine yellow cards and one red in a FIFA Club World Cup fixture.
• Frequently quick to penalize dissent and tactical fouls.
• Not afraid to rely on VAR for decisive moments.
His style generally favors structured authority rather than leniency, particularly in emotionally charged knockout games.
Potential Impact on the Match
With tensions elevated from the first leg and José Mourinho suspended from the Benfica bench, discipline could become a decisive factor. Vinčić’s experience in finals and knockout stages suggests he is unlikely to be influenced by crowd pressure at the Bernabéu. Expect a referee who allows physical battles but clamps down quickly on dissent and tactical interruptions.
Final Verdict
UEFA’s decision to appoint Slavko Vinčić signals trust in experience for a high-stakes encounter. His history with Real Madrid includes a Champions League final victory and controlled group-stage management.
In a match where margins are razor-thin, the referee’s authority and consistency may prove just as crucial as the tactics on the pitch.
European nights are rarely quiet — and with Vinčić in charge, expect structure, discipline, and firm control under the brightest lights.