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Real win despite Vinicius red card
Published : Sunday, 11 October, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Observer Online Report
Real Madrid beat Villarreal 1-0 thanks to a second-half goal from Yan Diomande, maintaining their six-point gap behind La Liga leaders Barcelona on Saturday night.
However, Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior was sent off for pulling Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba's hair during the match.
Jose Mourinho's side secured the victory despite playing with 10 men late in the game at the Santiago Bernabeu. The win provisionally lifted Real to third in the league standings.
Mourinho initially left Vinicius on the bench after the forward struggled for form following Brazil's international tour of Australia and India. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe returned to the starting lineup after recovering from a knee injury sustained while on international duty with France.
Mbappe was Real's most dangerous player early in the match. His effort from an Alvaro Carreras pass struck the post, while Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi produced an excellent save to deny the French forward another opportunity.
Real struggled to find their attacking rhythm in the first half and were met with some boos from frustrated home supporters at the break.
The match changed after the interval. Receiving a fine assist from Federico Valverde, Ivorian winger Diomande fired a low shot into the far corner to give the hosts the lead. It was his first goal for Real Madrid. The youngster joined the club for a reported record fee of €140 million, around $157 million.
Vinicius later found the net after receiving a pass from substitute Jude Bellingham on the left. However, his celebration was short-lived. After reviewing the replay with the help of VAR, referee Isidro Diaz de Mera determined that Vinicius had pulled Saliba's hair before scoring. The Brazilian was shown a red card, and the goal was disallowed.
Reduced to 10 men, Real were forced to focus on defending their lead. Thibaut Courtois made a superb reflex save to deny Villarreal's Carlos Romero, while Mbappe missed another opportunity to beat Gulacsi late in the game.
Real ultimately held on to secure three important points.
In Saturday's other match, reigning champions Barcelona defeated Getafe 3-0 to maintain their perfect start to the La Liga season, winning all eight of their opening matches.
The Catalan club remained top of the standings, six points ahead of Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid, in second place, moved to within five points of Barcelona after beating Alaves 2-1.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
