Real Madrid: Yan Diomandé opens his account and earns victory against Villarreal

10.10.26 FT LaLiga Spain

Real Madrid

1

:

Villarreal

0

Yan Diomandé scored his first goal in a Real Madrid shirt in the 1-0 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabéu. Starting in this eighth-round La Liga match, the Ivorian striker handed Madrid the lead in the second half with an assist from Federico Valverde.

Real Madrid spent a long time searching for a way through against a well-organized Villarreal side. After a goalless first half, Yan Diomandé broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Set up by Federico Valverde, the Ivorian found the back of the net to score the only goal of the match.

The goal was reviewed by the video assistant referee (VAR) before being allowed to stand. The strike opened Diomandé’s account for the Madrid club after he was selected by José Mourinho to start the match alongside Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Vinícius Júnior, meanwhile, began on the bench.

Read also: Real Madrid: Yan Diomandé could bring in a big fee

Vinícius Júnior sent off as Real Madrid hold on

The second half was also marked by the introduction of Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian striker thought he had doubled the lead, but his goal was ruled out after a VAR intervention. The referee penalized an earlier foul on defender Nathan Saliba, whom Vinícius had pulled by the hair, before sending him off.

Reduced to ten men, Real Madrid had to defend their lead against Villarreal’s attacks. Thibaut Courtois and the Madrid defense held firm until the final whistle to preserve the 1-0 victory.

The victory gives Madrid three more points in La Liga. For Yan Diomandé, the evening was marked by his first goal for Real Madrid, a decisive contribution in a match where his team had to defend its lead until the end.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

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