Real Madrid maintained their 100% win rate at the Bernabéu this season by beating Villarreal 1-0 on Saturday night with Yan Diomande getting his first goal for Real Madrid to seal the victory.
42 – Goals ruled out by VAR for Real Madrid, more than any other team
Another VAR intervention ruled out a goal for Real Madrid, making it the 42nd time since VAR was introduced that a Real Madrid goal has been cancelled by VAR. That is 20 goals more than the next highest on the list, where Atlético Madrid and Villarreal are on 22 goals each. Barcelona sit further behind, on 19. In this case, there could be little argument about the foul or red card to Vinícius Júnior. Historical cases of refereeing failures where hair pulls have gone unpunished are aplenty, but struggle to justify why the Brazilian should not have been shown red for the clear foul and violent conduct.
8 – Touches in the opposition box, joint-highest, for Yan Diomande
If Yan Diomande was waiting for his chance, being given Vinícius’ birth on the left wing was a high-pressure way to do it. From Florentino Pérez’s friendly slap on the cheek as he arrived at the stadium, through to celebrating the winning goal, it was a good night for the Ivory Coast international. He created the joint-highest number of chances with three, alongside Fede Valverde, and the joint-highest number number of touches in the opposition box, level with Kylian Mbappé, with eight. The teenager was a live wire and threat throughout.
29 – Starts in a row at the Bernabéu for Vinícius before tonight
You’d have to go back to a UEFA Champions League league phase game against Marseille under Xabi Alonso in September 2025 for the last time that Vinícius Júnior was “rested” for the start of a home game for Real Madrid. It’s happened since, both again under Alonso and under Arbeloa, but exclusively away from home, until José Mourinho broke that stretch and opted to leave him on the sidelines for the start of this game, until he was introduced on 52 minutes.
0.59 – The lowest xG conceded this season
Beating the 0.63 xG conceded against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid set a new best for the season with the lowest xG conceded in a game. The first 45 minutes in particular were very defensively strong, conceding just 0.06 xG. The best chance, worth 0.17 xG fell to Georges Mikautadze, but Thibaut Courtois got down well to save a low central shot, having made a wonder save to deny Carlos Romero from close range up high in his right-hand corner of the net shortly after Vinícius was sent off. Those two moments defined the game, but they were the only two chances that Villarreal can consider that they had to try and take something from the tie.
2 – Yellow cards for José Mourinho this season, second only to Ibrahima Konaté
With José Mourinho booked as he appealed following Pau Navarro’s scything challenge on Kylian Mbappé near the halfway line, the Portuguese coach picked up his second yellow card of the season. It means that Ibrahima Konaté, on a concerning four yellow cards in seven matches, has been shown yellow more often than José Mourinho for Real Madrid this season. The coach has spoken about being calmer this season, but another yellow card and a decision not to hold a press conference have done little to reflect that tranquility.
2 – Games without a goal for Kylian Mbappé
It may seem harsh to highlight such a stat, but the first time that Mbappé went two consecutive games without scoring for Real Madrid in 2025/26 was in March. He then went four league games without a goal, and repeated the streak by going three games without a goal in the league in late April and May. After recording only 0.02 xG against Atlético Madrid, this was a different game, as he had 0.93 xG, but failed to take his chances. He may be relieved to see the Champions League up next, as he has scored in his last three appearances in the competition.