Real Madrid won 1‑0 against Villarreal, but the match was marred by a controversial episode which puts Vinicius Junior's participation in the next Clásico at risk. The Italian received a red card after an act of violent conduct, which canceled out Real's 2‑0 goal. The referee, Ortiz Arias, stated that Vinicius, still on the pitch after the expulsion, continued to protest in a loud voice, heading towards the area where the referee was standing with an aggressive attitude. The player was kept safe by his teammates to avoid further clashes.
Vinicius' gesture was judged "sunny and clear" by the press, even if Ortiz Arias' direction of the match was not appreciated by all referee critics. During the blancos' restart, Vinicius attempted a shot towards Saliba, but the action was blocked and the player was sent off. Real's team football, despite the defeat, showed strong resilience, but the dismissal left the club in a delicate position.
The Brazilian is now in danger of suspension for the Clásico, which will take place after the next match against Sevilla and subsequent Champions League matches against Roma and Leipzig. The referee reported that Vinicius continued to protest even after the VAR intervention, and the player aggravated the situation by posting a series of emojis on his Instagram profile, apparently mocking the referee's decision. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho decided not to hold a press conference after the match, leaving open the question of whether the choice was motivated by a controversy against refereeing.
Real Madrid will face the disciplinary issue ahead of the Clásico as the Spanish club looks to maintain their position in the Premier League. The final decision on Vinicius' disqualification will be taken by the regulatory body, which will analyze the referee's report and the circumstances of the gesture. In the meantime, the team must focus on the next match and preparing for the most important match of the season.