For just the fourth time in his senior career, Vinícius Júnior was shown a red card. His latest indiscretion was rather bizarre, given that it came directly after he’d seemingly handed Real Madrid a 2–0 lead in their La Liga encounter against Villarreal.
The simple strike, which arrived courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s brilliance down the left flank, was set to end a six-week wait for a goal from open play. Vinícius Jr celebrated as usual, joined by José Mourinho, who, at the age of 63, didn’t quite move with the vigor he once did, but the Brazilian’s joy was short-lived.
