Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal: Mourinho’s 10 men prevail despite Vinicius drama

Real Madrid held to beat Villarreal 1-0 despite a dramatic red card from Vinicius Junior.

Madrid, beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid in their previous game before the international break, were unconvincing for long periods at the Santiago Bernabéu but took the lead in the second half when Yan Diomande opened his account for the club.

Diomande was selected ahead of Vinicius, who was left on the bench after traveling with a Brazil side that played Australia and India during the break.

But Vinicius looked to have sealed the three points when he scored 20 minutes after his introduction, his effort prompting manager Jose Mourinho to run down the touchline to join his players in celebration.

However, the goal was scored and Vinicius was sent off after a VAR check, replays clearly showing he had pulled Nathan Saliba’s hair in the build-up.

That decision infuriated the Bernabéu crowd, but ultimately failed to deny Madrid the victory they craved as they stayed six points clear. LaLiga leaders of Barcelona.

Madrid’s underwhelming first-half performance should still have seen them take the lead, with Kylian Mbappé guilty of missing a couple of clear-cut chances.

The French star flew against the outside of the post in the eighth minute after a good set-up by Arda Guler and Álvaro Carreras. Fourteen minutes later Peter Gulacsi denied Mbappe after Trent Alexander-Arnold teed him up.

Villarreal threatened and Alberto Moleiro shot wide from distance, but it was the introduction of Vinicius that brought the game to life seven minutes into the second half.

Madrid had Thibaut Courtois to thank for denying a couple of efforts from Pape Gueye shortly after Vinicius was brought on, and Belgian goalkeeper counterpart Gulacsi was unable to do anything at the other end as the home side punished Villarreal’s lack of chances.

Initially, it looked as if Diomande would be denied an opener for Madrid by the offside flag after he latched on to Federico Valverde’s clever pass and slotted past Gulacsi.

However, replays showed the Ivorian was clearly in the game and he was able to celebrate after a VAR check.

And more raucous celebrations greeted what appeared to be a game-tying goal from Vinicius, who latched on smartly after good work down the left from Jude Bellingham, prompting Mourinho’s show of support for the striker.

However, the joy of Mourinho and his players turned to fury when referee Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos was sent to the pitch monitor and did not hesitate to mark the goal and show Vinicius a straight red for his bad idea on Saliba.

Carlos Romero saw a Courtois goal tipped over as Villarreal tried to capitalize on a remarkable turn of events, before Mbappé was again denied by Gulacsi at the other end.

Georges Mikautadze squandered a chance to equalize when he fired straight at Courtois from close range, and that was Villarreal’s last chance to punish Madrid for another lackluster display.

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