Yan Diomande scored his first goal for Real Madrid as the Spanish champions held on for a hard-fought 1-0 La Liga victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men after Vinicius Junior was sent off.
The Ivorian forward broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, converting a precise through ball from captain Federico Valverde with a composed cross-shot. The goal was initially flagged for offside but awarded after a VAR review.
Vinicius, who had come off the bench, thought he had doubled the lead minutes later after finishing a powerful run by Jude Bellingham. However, VAR intervened again: the Brazilian was judged to have pulled the hair of Villarreal defender Saliba in the build-up. The goal was disallowed and Vinicius received a straight red card for violent conduct.
Real Madrid, returning from the international break, controlled a cagey first half in which Kylian Mbappe struck the post early. Thibaut Courtois made important saves to deny Villarreal’s Pape Gueye.
With a numerical disadvantage in the closing stages, the hosts defended resolutely to secure the three points and move to 18 points from eight matches.
Diomande started alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Valverde leading the side. The victory provided relief after a mixed start to the season.
Referee Isidro Diaz de Mera booked several players in a tense finale as Villarreal pushed for an equaliser but failed to break through.
