Vinicius Junior faces El Clasico absence after Real Madrid red card

Vinicius Junior could miss Real Madrid’s meeting with Barcelona in the 10th round of the Spanish league after being sent off against Villarreal, according to Spanish newspaper AS.

Real Madrid claimed a 1-0 victory over Villarreal in the eighth round at Santiago Bernabeu, but the match ended with uncertainty over the length of Vinicius Junior’s suspension.

The Brazilian appeared to have scored Real Madrid’s second goal in the 72nd minute. He ran to celebrate, with the team’s manager Jose Mourinho following him to join in the celebrations.

However, the referee subsequently reviewed the incident on video and found that Vinicius had grabbed a Villarreal player by the hair at the start of the move. The goal was disallowed and the Real Madrid winger was shown a direct red card after 20 minutes of his participation.

AS reported that Vinicius could be suspended for between two and three matches as a result. If that punishment is confirmed, he would miss Real Madrid’s game against Sevilla as well as the El Clasico against Barcelona two rounds later.

A formal decision on the sanction is expected, which will determine whether Vinicius is available for the meeting with Barcelona.

Yan Diomande scored Real Madrid’s only goal of the match.

The victory moved Real Madrid to 18 points and third place in the Spanish league table. They are one point behind second-placed Atletico de Madrid and six points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

Villarreal remain on eight points in 10th place.