Real Madrid secured a narrow 1-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday thanks to Yan Diomande’s goal, but the victory was marred by the dismissal of Vinicius Junior for violent conduct.
The result leaves Madrid six points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, who defeated Getafe 3-0, while second-placed Atletico Madrid moved five points clear after beating Alaves 2-1. Madrid remain in a provisional third-place position.
Diomande, Madrid’s record-breaking summer signing from Sevilla for 140 million euros, opened the scoring after receiving a precise through ball from Federico Valverde and firing a low shot into the far corner.
Vinicius Junior, who came on as a substitute after being benched by manager Jose Mourinho due to recent form issues, briefly appeared to double the lead following a cutback from Jude Bellingham. However, the goal was cancelled out after VAR intervention revealed the Brazilian had pulled the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba during the buildup. The referee issued a red card, sending Vinicius off.
Mourinho’s side, reduced to 10 men, defended resolutely to protect their lead. Kylian Mbappe started the match after recovering from a knee issue sustained while playing for France during the international break. The French forward was Madrid’s most active attacker in the first half, hitting the post and forcing a save from Villarreal goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, though he left the stadium still seeking his first goal of the season.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also kept his side in the game with a crucial acrobatic stop to deny Carlos Romero late in the contest.
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