Real Madrid edged Villarreal 1-0 at the Bernabéu to record a second clean sheet of the season, but their Champions League night finished with Vinicius Junior sent off and facing a possible suspension. Diomande settled the contest with his first Madrid goal, while Thibaut Courtois ensured the lead held.
Quick facts
- Real Madrid won 1-0 through Diomande’s first goal for the club.
- Vinicius was dismissed after VAR identified a hair pull on Nathan Saliba during the build-up to a disallowed goal.
- Courtois made two saves from Gueye’s long-range attempts after the 60th minute.
- Federico Valverde supplied the assist after moving from midfield to right-back.
- Jude Bellingham led Madrid for recoveries with six.
Mourinho’s side had to be patient before breaking Villarreal’s resistance. Valverde began in central midfield, was switched to right-back after the reshuffle, and produced the decisive pass for Diomande to make it 1-0.
The Ivorian, a surprise selection ahead of Vinicius, had again started at the Bernabéu after featuring from the outset against Rayo. He controlled beyond Freeman, created space for himself and finished to reward an influential display that included dribbling, defensive work and regular involvement down the left before moving to the opposite flank.
Diomande had earlier fired over from a Vinicius delivery shortly after the Brazilian entered in the 52nd minute. He was replaced by Dumfries in the 86th minute.
Vinicius brought immediate energy and set up that Diomande chance within moments of coming on for Trent. His evening, however, lasted only 20 minutes: he scored what appeared to be Madrid’s second, only for the goal to be ruled out after VAR alerted the referee to his pull on Saliba’s hair in the move.
The disciplinary report will determine whether Vinicius receives a one- or two-match ban. In the most severe scenario, he could miss the Clásico.
Courtois had little to do before Villarreal finally tested him on target after the hour. Gueye struck twice from distance and the Belgian dealt confidently with both efforts, preserving Madrid’s shutout.
In front of him, Rüdiger repeatedly cleared danger, making eight clearances. Konaté was solid in defence, threatened with an aerial effort from deep and was booked in the 81st minute.
Carreras offered attacking width in the opening half before Cucurella replaced him at the interval. Cucurella won five of his six duels and recovered possession five times in his half of football, a total bettered only by Bellingham.
Trent, selected at right-back as part of the rotation, controlled the ball well and found Mbappé with a notable long pass in the 21st minute, though the forward could not convert. He made way for Vinicius in the 52nd minute.
Tchouameni was booked in the 37th minute and missed a late first-half opportunity in the area. Güler directed much of Madrid’s play, later dropping into midfield after the attacking changes, but faded before Camavinga took his place in the 77th minute.
Bellingham’s work without the ball drew the Bernabéu’s appreciation. Booked in the 18th minute for a challenge on Pau Navarro, he pressed relentlessly, made six recoveries and was applauded after forcing an attacking throw-in during stoppage time.
Mbappé endured a frustrating night in front of goal. He struck the outside of the post after Carreras laid the ball back following a Güler pass, then failed to take two further openings against Gulacsi. He was cautioned in added time for delaying the restart.
Camavinga entered to add security after Vinicius’s dismissal, while Valverde ended the match on the right side of midfield, still driving forward to contest possession near Villarreal’s penalty area. Madrid had the win and the clean sheet, but their European week now carries a disciplinary concern as well.
