Tempers boiled at end of Clasico
Vinicius has had a testy relationship with Alonso since he took over as manager in May. Alonso has substituted him in most games this season even though he appears to have solved how to bring the best out of his two star players – Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe – who struggled to click last season.
In an eventful match with plenty of needle, Vinicius was fired up, snapping into tackles and encouraging the crowd to make more noise. He toyed with Kounde almost every time he had the ball and looked like Madrid’s most probable source for a goal.
His looping cross in the 42nd minute was headed back across goal by Eder Militao and nodded on by Dean Huijsen for Jude Bellingham to prod home. Minutes later he thought he had created a third goal after teasing Frenkie De Jong by the corner flag to engineer a chance that eventually fell to Mbappe, who was offside.
But even after storming off the pitch his part in a testy match was not over. He reemerged just before the final whistle after Pedri was sent off and a fight broke out between the teams. He had to be shepherded away from the scene as he argued with Barca’s players.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 18:46
Vinicius angry to be substituted
A frustrated Vinicius Jr stormed straight to the changing rooms after being substituted during this heated Clasico with Barcelona, making his displeasure known to manager Xabi Alonso.
Vinicius was taken off in the 71st minute and replaced by fellow Brazilian Rodrygo during their 2-1 win over their bitter rivals, with Vinicius playing a key part in the winning goal and running Barcelona’s right back Jules Kounde ragged.
With Madrid reversing a four-game losing streak against Barca, the win looked set to be an important milestone in new manager Alonso’s efforts to stamp his authority. However, Vinicius’s angry reaction at being taken off showed the challenge he faces in managing the egos within his team.
Vinicius could not believe he was substituted during the second half (AFP via Getty Images)
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 18:29
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham earned Real Madrid a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a spiky El Clasico on Sunday that snapped a four-match losing streak against their rivals and extended their lead atop the LaLiga standings.
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a close-range finish after a perfectly timed through ball from Bellingham. However, Barcelona capitalised on a mistake by Arda Guler to equalise in the 38th minute through Fermin Lopez.
Real regained the lead five minutes later when Bellingham tapped in from inside the six-yard box following an inspired run and cross by Vinicius Jr.
Real had several chances but were denied by an excellent display from Barca keeper Wojciech Szczesny, who kept out Mbappe’s penalty early in the second half.
Barcelona barely threatened Real keeper Thibaut Courtois after the break and finished the match with 10 men after midfielder Pedri earned a second yellow card for a sliding tackle from behind on Aurelien Tchouameni in added time.
Real moved to 27 points at the top of the LaLiga standings, five ahead of Barcelona in second.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:45
Full-time: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
Bellingham is making his point.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:36
Full-time: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
Some of the players had to be separated on the pitch at full-time, as a feisty Clasico ends in chaos.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:26
Full-time: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
A Clasico that had it all – goals, disallowed goals, a missed penalty, a red card at the death – goes the way of Real Madrid. They move five points clear at the top.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:23
90+9: And that might just be that! Pedri is shown a second yellow card for a frustrated challenge on the halfway line and he’s off.
On the touchline, both sets of coaches and players are shouting at each other.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:22
90+7 min: Casado’s shot is blocked by Tchouameni. Gerard Martin replaces Balde at left-back. No real chances of note for Barca…
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:20
90+4 min: Barca continue to pass the ball patiently from side to side without any real cut-through, and time is running out.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:16
90+1 min: Nine minutes to be added on! That seems on the high side but Barca won’t be complaining.
Lawrence Ostlere26 October 2025 17:14