Real Madrid secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Villarreal on October 21, thanks to Yan Diomandé's debut goal, but the match was marred by a controversial red card for Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian winger, who had come on as a substitute, had his goal disallowed and was sent off after a VAR review revealed he had pulled the hair of Nathan Saliba.

Despite finishing the match with ten men, Real Madrid managed to hold on for the win, keeping them six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and temporarily placing them third in the standings. The red card puts Vinícius at risk of missing the upcoming El Clásico on October 25, raising concerns among fans and players alike.

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni expressed confusion over the referee's decision:

I don’t know what’s going on with the referees, with this red card, I don’t understand. But the most important thing is the victory.

Kylian Mbappé, who returned from a knee issue, was Madrid's standout player, creating several chances, including a shot that hit the post. However, he faced a mix of applause and whistles from the crowd, reflecting the divided sentiment surrounding his recent performances.

The match began slowly, with Villarreal initially restricting Madrid’s opportunities. The breakthrough came when Diomandé finished well after a setup from Federico Valverde. Vinícius’s disallowed goal followed shortly after, overshadowing the team's efforts.

Thibaut Courtois was pivotal in goal, making key saves to maintain the lead, while Madrid's frustrations continued as they sought more goals but ultimately celebrated an important three points.