Yan Diomande scored his first goal for Real Madrid to secure a 1-0 victory over Villarreal, although Vinicius Junior’s dismissal threatened to derail a result that keeps Jose Mourinho’s side six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The Brazilian winger was sent off in the 72nd minute after a VAR review showed him pulling the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba. Vinicius had seemingly doubled Madrid when he finished from Jude Bellingham’s cutback, but the goal was ruled out because of the offence in the build-up.
Madrid were left to protect their advantage with 10 men, surviving a tense closing spell to claim three points and move provisionally into third place. Vinicius could also face a suspension that makes him a doubt for the clásico against Barcelona on 25 October.
Diomande had provided the decisive moment shortly after the hour mark, finishing into the far corner after Federico Valverde worked his way past a challenge and threaded a pass into the winger’s path. The Ivorian was initially flagged offside before a VAR check confirmed the goal.
The breakthrough came after a largely uninspiring first half in which Madrid struggled to create clear chances despite enjoying spells of pressure. Kylian Mbappe, fit to start after a knee problem sustained on international duty with France, was their main attacking threat but was profligate.
The forward first scooped the ball wide of the left-hand post in the opening stages after Alvaro Carreras laid the ball into his path, then later fired meekly at Peter Gulacsi after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick and clever ball over the top put him through on goal.
Villarreal also had opportunities to take the lead, with Pape Gueye shooting wide and Alberto Moleiro and Renato Veiga threatening as the visitors grew into the contest. Thibaut Courtois was also called upon to defend his side’s advantage in the second half, denying Gueye before producing another sharp stop to hinder Carlos Romero late on.
