Madrid win after sub sees red in under a minute
Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory on Sunday despite a moment of chaos late in the match, when a substitute was sent off less than a minute after coming on, adding tension to an otherwise controlled performance by Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Madrid looked set for a routine win after first-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior put them in command. However, the game’s closing stages turned frantic when substitute Lucas Vázquez received a straight red card moments after entering the field for a reckless challenge, forcing Madrid to defend deep against growing pressure.
The visitors halved the deficit shortly afterward, setting up a tense finale at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Madrid held firm, with goalkeeper Andriy Lunin producing a vital save in stoppage time to preserve the three points.
The result extends Real Madrid’s unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches and keeps them top of La Liga, ahead of Barcelona on goal difference. Ancelotti praised his team’s composure after the match, calling it “a mature performance in difficult circumstances.”
While the dismissal added unnecessary drama, Madrid’s resilience under pressure highlighted their title credentials. The club’s next challenge comes in midweek Champions League action, where Ancelotti will hope for similar focus—minus the late disciplinary lapses.