African Star Rescues Real After Vinicius’ C…

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Real Madrid got their LALIGA title challenge back on track with a 1-0 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.

Manager Jose Mourinho made the decision to start Vinicius Junior on the bench, as Yan Diomande joined Kylian Mbappe and Arda Guler in the attack.

Los Blancos were finding it tough to get the breakthrough, with Kylian Mbappe passing up a couple good chances in the 18-yard area as the first half ended goalless.

The home side eventually got the goal in the 62nd minute when Ivorian winger Diomande opened his account for the club after being set up by Federico Valverde.

There was late drama in the contest as Vinicius thought he had bagged the team’s second goal in the 71st minute, but it was overturned as the Brazilian was spotted pulling his opponents hair following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review and ended up receiving a straight red card.

Despite the red card, Mourinho’s men were able to see out the closing stages of the contest to claim maximum points.

Unstoppable Barca Extend Winning Streak

FC Barcelona extended their perfect start to the LALIGA season with a 3-0 victory over Getafe on Saturday evening.

Hansi Flick handed Gabriel Jesus his first start for the Catalan giants in place of the injured Raphinha.

The Catalan giants raced into an early lead when Anthony Gordon grabbed his first goal of the club with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

The lead was doubled in the 30th minute when Jesus repaid the faith from Flick with a lovely individual effort in the box that gave goalkeeper David Soria no chance.

Flick’s charges, however, had to wait until the 73rd minute for the third goal when defender Jules Kounde fired home after being set up Lamine Yamal.

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