Yan Diomandé's first goal for Real Madrid settled it, but Vinícius could miss El Clásico on 25 October.
Real Madrid beat Villarreal 1-0 at the Bernabéu on Saturday, but the win was overshadowed by a red card for Vinícius Júnior. He had come on as a substitute and seen his goal ruled out after a VAR review showed him pulling the hair of Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba.
Yan Diomandé scored the only goal in the 62nd minute, his first for the club. The Ivorian winger, Madrid's record signing, finished low into the far corner after Federico Valverde played him in. The goal was first flagged for offside and stood only after a VAR review.
Vinícius thought he had doubled the lead after England midfielder Jude Bellingham cut the ball back for him, and José Mourinho ran over to join the celebrations. The referee, Isidro Díaz de Mera, disallowed the goal and showed Vinícius a straight red card for violent conduct. Vinícius was left livid and screamed at the referee as he left the field.
Vinícius wrote on Instagram, in Spanish, to his team and fans:
"Sorry to my team and my fans."
Villarreal defender Juan Foyth said about the hair pull: "I don't think he meant to hurt anyone but it is a red card."
Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni said he did not understand the red card. "I don't know what's going on with the referees, with this red card, I don't understand," he said. "But the most important thing is the victory."
The IFAB's Law 12 classes pulling an opponent's hair as violent conduct, which carries a straight red card. The BBC's analysis notes that Premier League referees have changed how they judge the offence this season, but says Vinícius's deliberate yank would likely have led to a dismissal in England too.
Mourinho did not attend the mandatory post-match news conference. It quickly got around that, reportedly, he feared anything he said might bring a suspension.
Kylian Mbappé, fit to start after a knee problem on international duty with France, had a frustrating night. He struck the post early on and was denied again by Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. Barcelona had beaten Getafe 3-0 earlier in the day, and with eight games gone, Madrid are six points off top spot.
Vinícius could miss El Clásico if the disciplinary commission adds to a mandatory one-game suspension. Madrid visit Barcelona on 25 October.
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