Real Madrid held off Villarreal at the Bernabéu to protect three vital points on a night that tested their nerve, their discipline and the patience surrounding the side. Diomande’s first goal for the club proved decisive, while Vinicius Junior’s first league start from the bench ended with a red card after a late goal of his was ruled out.
What the night decided
Madrid had been the stronger team for long stretches without ever taking full control of the contest. Their eventual win eased the immediate pressure on a group that has been operating under intense scrutiny, particularly after Atlético Madrid and Barcelona had already won.
Jude Bellingham’s work in the closing stages was central to the result. As Villarreal pressed against the 10 men, the midfielder led Madrid’s resistance and helped them see out a game that became increasingly fraught after Vinicius’s dismissal.
Diomande settled the match with a sharp turn and finish following Federico Valverde’s work from the flank. The goal was initially disallowed by referee Díaz de Mera for offside, only for VAR to reverse that decision.
Villarreal came close to finding an equaliser after Madrid were reduced to 10. Thibaut Courtois denied two powerful efforts from Gueye, while Iñigo Pérez turned to Gerard Moreno and Mikautadze in search of a late breakthrough. The visitors left empty-handed, but their performance suggested a team recovering after a difficult early sequence of two draws and four defeats in six matches.
Vinicius sent off after late turning point
Vinicius began among the substitutes for the first time this season. Mourinho had defended both the Brazilian and Kylian Mbappé before the match amid a demanding atmosphere around the team, but he also had a practical reason to make changes after Vinicius’s demanding international schedule and long-distance travel.
The Brazilian’s introduction transformed the shape of Madrid’s attack. Valverde moved to right-back, Diomande switched wings and Vinicius took up his usual role on the left. Trent, despite one of his more convincing displays, made way as Mourinho sought greater directness.
Madrid appeared to have sealed the result when Vinicius finished a move started by Aurélien Tchouaméni’s intervention and Bellingham’s forward run. However, the goal was overturned after Vinicius had pulled Saliba’s hair in the build-up. The offence also brought a red card, his first sending-off of the campaign.
That decision changed the final phase entirely. Villarreal pushed on, while Mbappé, who had already been unable to convert several chances, could not provide the finishing touch Madrid needed to make the closing minutes more comfortable.
Valverde’s move and Diomande’s opening
Mourinho’s most effective adjustment was again Valverde’s deployment at full-back. The Uruguayan had begun in midfield, where his high pressing helped Madrid disrupt Villarreal’s build-up on several occasions, before moving wide after the interval.
His energy on the right created the opening for Diomande, who had caused Freeman problems throughout the match. Diomande repeatedly beat his opponent for pace in the first half, although Villarreal’s central defenders initially prevented Madrid from turning those wide breaks into clear finishes.
Arda Güler supplied much of Madrid’s composure in possession, combining craft on the ball with diligent defensive work. Trent also impressed with his long-range distribution, including a 50-metre pass that created one of Mbappé’s opportunities.
Mbappé struck the post from a volley after a move involving Güler and Carreras, while Villarreal goalkeeper Gulacsi also stopped another effort from the French forward. Madrid’s frustration grew as they felt Mbappé had been fouled without a whistle and believed Cardona escaped a booking.
Villarreal made Madrid work for the points
Pérez retained a side close to the one that had brought recent improvement, despite Buchanan’s absence. Foyth stepped into a midfield role, while Freeman started despite returning from international duty with only one training session behind him.
Villarreal set up in a 4-3-3 and refused to simply defend deep. Their possession game, among the strongest in the league behind only Barcelona, carried risks against Madrid’s press but also allowed them to play through pressure at times, with Comesaña and Moleiro particularly important.
Ilias enjoyed success against Carreras on Villarreal’s right, prompting Madrid to introduce Cucurella at half-time. Pérez later doubled up on the other side with Cardona and Romero, while moving Moleiro into a more central attacking position. Moleiro quickly tested Madrid with a low shot.
The visitors had enough control and enough threat to believe a point was possible. Yet Diomande’s breakthrough, followed by Madrid’s determined defensive stand after Vinicius’s red card, meant the Bernabéu night ended with relief for the home side rather than reward for Villarreal.
