Real Madrid's Vinícius sees red after pulling Canadian Nathan Saliba's hair

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior was shown a direct red card for pulling the hair of Canadian Nathan Saliba during a Spanish La Liga encounter, nullifying his goal and leaving the team with ten men from the 73rd minute. The incident occurred on Saturday and the match ended 1‑0 to Madrid.

The incident unfolded after Vinícius celebrated a goal, prompting referee Isidro Díaz de Mera to consult the video assistant. The VAR review led to the goal being waived off and the red card being issued for a hard tug on Saliba’s hair as the two sprinted down the field.

Red card and goal annulled

VAR cancelled what appeared to be a 2‑0 lead in minute 71, showing images of Vinícius grabbing the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan‑Dylan Saliba, who had entered the match in minute 56. The referee displayed the red card and the goal was ruled out, leaving only Yan Diomande’s strike – assisted by Federico Valverde – as the valid tally. Thibaut Courtois had kept the score at 0‑0 with two saves in minute 59, and the Competition Committee will now decide the suspension.

Match result and league stakes

Despite the dismissal, Real Madrid held on for a 1‑0 victory, defending the lead after the 73rd minute with ten men. The win moved Madrid to fourth place with 15 points, six points behind Barcelona, while Villarreal sit ninth with eight points.

Vinícius erupted at Díaz de Mera as he left the pitch, his teammates attempting to calm him while manager José Mourinho rushed to join the earlier celebrations. Mourinho had run onto the field when Vinícius thought he had doubled the lead, only to see the goal erased and the red card shown.

VAR drama changes Real Madrid's lead against Villarreal

Vinícius had been introduced as a second‑half substitute, a move made amid a confidence crisis he admitted with Brazil ten days earlier. His brief cameo saw him score before the VAR intervention, highlighting the fine margins of his impact.

The accompanying photo shows Vinícius Junior reacting during a Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Getafe in Madrid on Monday, March 2, 2026 (Manu Fernandez/AP). The image captures the intensity of the moment that led to the disciplinary action.

Real Madrid now turn their attention to a visit to Barcelona in two rounds, a fixture that could further shape the title race.

Mourinho skips post‑Villarreal press conference to avoid sanction ahead of Sevilla and Barcelona clashes

The red‑card sanction remains pending, with the Competition Committee set to determine the number of matches Vinícius will miss.