Vinicius Jr turned the El Clásico cauldron into a full-blown inferno with a provocative outburst that sparked a chaotic bench brawl.
A pulsating Santiago Bernabéu, the 25-year-old Brazilian, once again stole headlines for a post-substitution outburst that nearly derailed the spectacle.
With Madrid clinging to a lead courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, and Fermín López’s strike keeping Barça in contention, the match was already a cauldron of emotion.
Vinicius, substituted in the 72nd minute amid a tense affair, vented frustration toward coach Xabi Alonso before storming to the tunnel, only to resurface minutes later and unleash pandemonium from the sidelines.
The flashpoint erupted shortly after Barcelona midfielder Pedri’s red card expulsion, which had already ratcheted up the stakes.
As benches emptied in a heated exchange, Vinicius, now perched on Madrid’s reserves, provoked a full-scale confrontation, trading barbs and gestures that spilled into a physical scuffle between players from both sides.
Substitutes and staff clashed in a chaotic melee, with fists nearly flying before police officers rushed onto the pitch to restore order, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
“Otra vez Vinicius,” quipped Mundo Deportivo, capturing his uncanny knack for turning matches into spectacles.
No further ejections were reported, but the incident underscored the thin line between passion and peril in this storied derby, where Madrid now holds a razor-thin 105-104 lead in official clashes.
For Barcelona, the loss—despite a gritty equalizer—exposes vulnerabilities under Hansi Flick, suspended from the touchline and watching his high-pressing gamble falter.
Pedri’s sending-off symbolized their unraveling discipline, while Vinicius’s antics drew sharp criticism from Catalan media, branding him the “eternal provocateur.”
Alonso, post-match, defended his star: “Vinicius brings fire; that’s why he’s special.” Yet, in a season where Madrid trails Barça by two points pre-kickoff, this win—and the ensuing drama—reignites their title charge.
El Clásico’s allure lies in such volatility: a 2-1 thriller laced with rivalry’s raw edge.
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