Yan Diomande scored his first goal for Real Madrid and Vinicius Junior was sent off for pulling an opponent's hair in a dramatic 1-0 La Liga victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday night.
The 19-year-old winger broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, finishing low into the far corner after being set up by Federico Valverde. The on-field officials initially ruled the strike out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision and awarded Diomande's first goal since his record 140-million-euro ($157 million) move.
Vinicius sees goal wiped out, then red
The drama arrived shortly after the opener. Substitute Vinicius Junior appeared to double Madrid's lead with a finish from Jude Bellingham's cross, but VAR spotted the Brazilian pulling Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba's hair in the build-up. The goal was disallowed and Vinicius was shown a straight red card, leaving the hosts to defend their slender lead with 10 men.
"Sorry to my team and the fans," Vinicius wrote on Instagram after the match.
Madrid hold on for three points
Villarreal pushed hard against the ten men and substitute Georges Mikautadze fired straight at Thibaut Courtois two minutes from time, but the Belgian goalkeeper held firm to preserve the victory.
The win lifts Real Madrid to 18 points from eight matches, leaving them third in La Liga and six points behind leaders Barcelona, who extended their perfect start with a 3-0 win over Getafe earlier on Saturday. Anthony Gordon, Gabriel Jesus and Jules Kounde scored for the champions, who have now won nine from nine in all competitions.
The night left a bitter taste for the hosts beyond the victory. Vinicius now faces a possible suspension that could rule him out of El Clásico on October 25, while midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni questioned the officiating after full time. Manager José Mourinho declined to attend his post-match press conference in protest at the refereeing, according to a club source, following his complaints about decisions in the derby defeat to Atlético Madrid before the international break.
Earlier in the day at the Bernabéu, Kylian Mbappé was passed fit to start despite withdrawing from the France squad with a knee injury, striking the post and missing a golden early chance from inside the six-yard box.
Sources:
Philstar: Barca extend perfect streak, Real Madrid survive Vinicius red
TNT Sports: Real Madrid v Villarreal — La Liga result
The 19-year-old winger broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, finishing low into the far corner after being set up by Federico Valverde. The on-field officials initially ruled the strike out for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision and awarded Diomande's first goal since his record 140-million-euro ($157 million) move.
Vinicius sees goal wiped out, then red
The drama arrived shortly after the opener. Substitute Vinicius Junior appeared to double Madrid's lead with a finish from Jude Bellingham's cross, but VAR spotted the Brazilian pulling Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba's hair in the build-up. The goal was disallowed and Vinicius was shown a straight red card, leaving the hosts to defend their slender lead with 10 men.
"Sorry to my team and the fans," Vinicius wrote on Instagram after the match.
Madrid hold on for three points
Villarreal pushed hard against the ten men and substitute Georges Mikautadze fired straight at Thibaut Courtois two minutes from time, but the Belgian goalkeeper held firm to preserve the victory.
The win lifts Real Madrid to 18 points from eight matches, leaving them third in La Liga and six points behind leaders Barcelona, who extended their perfect start with a 3-0 win over Getafe earlier on Saturday. Anthony Gordon, Gabriel Jesus and Jules Kounde scored for the champions, who have now won nine from nine in all competitions.
The night left a bitter taste for the hosts beyond the victory. Vinicius now faces a possible suspension that could rule him out of El Clásico on October 25, while midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni questioned the officiating after full time. Manager José Mourinho declined to attend his post-match press conference in protest at the refereeing, according to a club source, following his complaints about decisions in the derby defeat to Atlético Madrid before the international break.
Earlier in the day at the Bernabéu, Kylian Mbappé was passed fit to start despite withdrawing from the France squad with a knee injury, striking the post and missing a golden early chance from inside the six-yard box.
Sources:
Philstar: Barca extend perfect streak, Real Madrid survive Vinicius red
TNT Sports: Real Madrid v Villarreal — La Liga result
