Real Madrid edge past Villarreal after Vinicius Junior goal is ruled out and forward is sent off

Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Villarreal in the sixth round of La Liga, but the match ended with Vinicius Junior facing a possible suspension for the next Clasico against Barcelona.

Yan Diomande scored the only goal of the game, while Vinicius had a second effort disallowed after a video review. The Brazilian was then shown a straight red card, leaving Real Madrid to play the closing stages with 10 men.

The result lifted Real Madrid to 18 points and third place in the La Liga table. They are one point behind second-placed Atletico Madrid and six points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Villarreal remain on eight points in 10th place.

Real Madrid had been beaten 2-1 by Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby in their previous league match, making this victory their first since that defeat.

Vinicius entered the game in the 52nd minute as a substitute for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Twenty minutes later, he appeared to have doubled Real Madrid’s lead when he finished first time from Jude Bellingham’s low cross.

However, the referee returned to the video monitor after the attack and found that Vinicius had pulled a Villarreal player’s hair at the start of the move. The goal was cancelled and the forward was sent off.

A formal decision on the punishment Vinicius will receive is expected to clarify whether he will be available for Real Madrid’s next-but-one La Liga match, the Clasico against Barcelona.

How the match unfolded

The opening half produced few clear chances for either side. Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi made the most important save of the first 45 minutes in the 21st minute, stopping a dangerous shot from Kylian Mbappe.

Real Madrid took the lead in the 63rd minute when Diomande struck from inside the penalty area.

Vinicius then thought he had scored a second, but his goal was overturned following the video review and his involvement in the incident led to his dismissal.

Kylian Mbappe was denied another opportunity in the 78th minute when his low effort from inside the box was saved by the Villarreal goalkeeper.

Real Madrid defended their advantage until the final whistle to secure all three points.