Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior sent off for hair-pulling in victory over Villarreal

Vinícius Júnior’s goal was disallowed and the substitute was dismissed after a VAR review showed he had pulled Nathan Saliba’s hair Yan Diomandé earned Real Madrid a tight 1-0 victory over Villarreal to keep them six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona, even though winger Vinícius Júnior was sent off for hair pulling. Vinícius, on as a substitute, scored but his goal was disallowed and then he was dismissed after a VAR review showed he had pulled the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba. José Mourinho’s side battled through the final stages with 10 men, holding on to win and provisionally going third.

But the red card left a bitter taste for Real, with Vinícius running the risk of a potential ban which could keep him out of El Clásico on 25 October. “I don’t know what’s going on with the referees, with this red card, I don’t understand,” said the Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. “But the most important thing is the victory.” Kylian Mbappé was fit to start the match for Madrid after suffering a knee problem playing for France during the international break. There were a smattering of whistles for the