Tempers flared at the end of a feisty Clasico clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu, with Vinicius Junior at the heart of the post-game brawl. Security personnel were forced to step in as players and coaches from both teams became caught up in an unsightly scuffle. Angry words were also exchanged on the field, with Blaugrana wonderkid Lamine Yamal attracting unnecessary attention.
El Clasico chaos: Bench brawl after Real Madrid win
The game in question finished in a 2-1 victory for the hosts, with Real getting one over on arch-rivals after enduring a tough time against foes from Catalunya during the 2024-25 campaign. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham got the goals for the Blancos as they picked up three priceless points.
Emotions ran high throughout the latest Clasico, with it never going to take much for a fuse to be lit. Brazilian superstar Vinicius reacted petulantly to being replaced 18 minutes from the end, as he headed straight down the tunnel. He was back on the touchline when the final whistle blew, allowing a confrontation with the opposition bench to be sparked.
AdvertisementPedri red provides spark: Tempers boil over on the bench
A chaotic end to a meeting between old adversaries saw Barcelona reduced to 10 men in the closing stages as Pedri was dismissed. He lunged in on Aurelien Tchouameni, leading to a second yellow card and subsequent red being flashed in his direction. Unsurprisingly, players on opposing sides of the fiercest La Liga divide looked to pile in on one another.
It was at that point that things got feisty on the sidelines. England international Bellingham, who had been replaced in the 90th minute, found himself at the centre of a crowded technical area. He was ushered away from proceedings, but Vinicius Junior remained very much part of the heated discussion.
Yamal vs Courtois: Angry words exchanged at full time
More cards were shown to those on the bench, with Alejandro Balde among the more incensed Barcelona players. Real Madrid’s back-up goalkeeper Andrii Lunin received a caution despite never making it onto the pitch. The game ended moments later, leading to more ugly scenes.
Bellingham was back on the field for that dispute, with teenage forward Yamal attracting plenty of attention. Belgium goalkeeper Courtois was particularly upset with something that the Barca youngster said or did. He was still shouting in Yamal’s direction as players began to head towards the tunnel.
Blancos boss Xabi Alonso stepped in a bid to calm his players and lead them towards celebrations in the middle of the pitch. Yamal wandered off waving his arms around in frustration, with Vinicius looking to enter into another discussion there – only to be held back. Raphinha, who played no part in proceedings, also had to be ushered towards the dressing rooms.
Yamal had angered Real prior to a ball being kicked when saying of the Blancos in the build-up to a combustible clash: “Yes, they steal, they complain all the time…” He was always going to be reminded of those comments if Madrid came out on top. Dani Carvajal was caught on camera appearing to tell the Kopa Trophy winner that he talks too much.
Potential punishments: Will disciplinary action be taken?
The skirmish eventually fizzled out, allowing Real to celebrate properly as a group. They saw French superstar Mbappe put them in front inside 22 minutes, having been teed up by Bellingham. The England midfielder then got in on the act himself, with Madrid fired back in two minutes before half-time after seeing Fermin Lopez level matters for the visitors.
Alonso’s side are now five points clear at the top of the Liga table through 10 rounds of fixtures. It remains to be seen whether any disciplinary action will be taken against clubs or individuals – and what the potential punishments could be – on the back of a lively end to the first Clasico of the current campaign. Real are not due to pay a visit to Catalunya until late in the season, in the early part of May 2026, but more cup clashes could take place prior to that.