Real Madrid held on for a 1-0 win over Villarreal in a stormy LaLiga encounter on Saturday despite the late red card for Vinícius Júnior.

The Brazilian was dismissed in the 72nd minute for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair, moments after it appeared he had put his side 2-0 ahead at the Bernabéu.

Jude Bellingham had raced clear to tee up Vinícius, prompting wild celebrations which included manager José Mourinho running across the pitch.

However, the goal was disallowed following a VAR review because of Vinícius' offence in the build-up, and the forward was shown a red card.

Despite a flurry of bookings in a fraught ending, Real held on to secure the win earned through Yan Diomande's fine strike just after the hour.

(Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

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Villarreal had the first chance of the evening when Pape Gueye fired wide, but Kylian Mbappé went closer for Real when he shot against a post after seven minutes.

Mbappé then forced a save from Péter Gulácsi before Villarreal threatened again with opportunities for Alberto Moleiro and Renato Veiga.

Ibrahima Konaté headed over from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner for the hosts and Arda Güler also missed the target.

Diomande spurned a breakaway chance in the second half before the visitors began to assert themselves again.

Moleiro was inches away from finding the net before Thibaut Courtois reacted well to keep out a deflected effort from Gueye.

Gueye had another chance moments later, but again Courtois was equal to it.

The deadlock was broken just after the hour after Villarreal half-cleared a home attack and the ball was worked to Federico Valverde on the right.

The Uruguayan skipped a challenge as he worked his way inside and then slipped Diomande in on goal with a fine through ball.

Diomande swivelled and finished clinically to register his first goal for the club with a low shot into the far corner. It was initially disallowed for offside, but given following a VAR check.

Real pressed for more with Mbappé racing clear from a Vinícius pass but was denied by Gulacsi.

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It seemed the second had come after a rapid break from Bellingham, with Vinícius tucking in his square ball. Mourinho raced down the touchline to join the celebrations, but they were cut short when the play was reviewed and Vinícius' hair pull on halfway was spotted.

Real reacted angrily and frustration was clearly evident as four of their players were booked in the closing minutes.

Courtois had to stay alert to deny substitutes Carlos Romero and Gerard Moreno late on as the hosts held on.