Real Madrid took a minimal victory over Villarreal, but the match was marked by the expulsion of Vinicius Jr. after a hair pull that led to a red card. The Brazilian, who had scored a goal that was ultimately not counted, was called by the VAR and showed the card without hesitation, generating great controversy and putting his participation in the next Clásico at risk.
The incident occurred when Vinicius tried to get past defender Saliba and, in the process, pulled the hair of a Villarreal player. The referee did not see the action at the time, but the VAR detected it after the goal. The decision to send off the striker was firm and without discussion, and the match report clearly reflects the sanction.
He was not the only player who reacted to the referee's decision. Marc Cucurella, from Real Madrid, seemed angry and warned the referee in a forceful tone: "I hope that if they touch me even a hair you will get the red card. You go to the VAR." The Spanish international, known for his long hair, expressed his frustration at the measure taken against Vinicius.
Cucurella recalled a similar experience he had when he played for Chelsea, during the 2025 Club World Cup final. In that match, a Portuguese player pulled his hair and he was banned for two games for his conduct. The Spanish defender showed that this is not the first time he has faced this type of situation on the field.
Real Madrid, despite the controversy, achieved victory with a minimal goal difference. The expulsion of Vinicius Jr. raises doubts about his availability for the next Clásico, since the sanction could prevent him from playing. The club must decide whether to appeal the decision or accept the suspension, while Villarreal will have to manage the absence of its main defender in the next matches.