Real Madrid defeated Barcelona 2-1 in a fiery Clásico, where goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was sent off and five players booked in a dramatic post-match scuffle.
Real Madrid clinched a vital 2-1 victory over rivals Barcelona in El Clásico, but the crucial win was severely marred by chaotic, ugly scenes and a massive brawl that erupted both on the pitch and along the touchlines at the Santiago Bernabéu, according to detailed reports following the match.
The intense fixture, which saw first-half goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham secure the win for the hosts after Fermín López’s equalizer, descended into acrimony in the dying moments.
The tension peaked after the sending off of Barcelona midfielder Pedri for a second yellow card, sparking a massive confrontation between the benches involving multiple players and coaching staff from both sides. Security personnel were eventually forced to intervene.
Brazilian star forward Vinicius Junior, who had reacted furiously to being substituted in the 72nd minute by heading straight down the tunnel, was a central figure in the post-match chaos.
He returned to the touchline and was quickly involved in a heated altercation with Barcelona’s teenage star Lamine Yamal immediately after the final whistle, drawing further bookings.
In the height of the melee, Real Madrid’s back-up goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was dramatically shown a straight red card by referee César Soto Grado. The official’s match report provided the precise reason for the dismissal, which occurred despite Lunin being on the bench and never having entered the pitch during play.
The exact quote from the referee’s report details the offence: “For leaving his bench towards the rival bench, in an aggressive attitude, having to be restrained by his own team-mates.”
Vinicius Jr. was also handed a yellow card for “confronting an opponent without resorting to insults or threats,” while other players, including Éder Militão and Rodrygo, were also booked.
The unsavory scenes brought a disappointing and ill-tempered end to what was an otherwise thrilling footballing spectacle, with Real Madrid extending their lead atop the La Liga table to five points.