Real Madrid’s clash against Barcelona descended into chaos on Sunday night as tempers flared at full-time – and wonderkid Lamine Yamal was at the centre of things.
Xabi Alonso’s side earned the El Clasico bragging rights via a 2-1 victory, which took on added significance given they lost all four encounters against their arch-rivals last season.
Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham – who later aimed a dig at Yamal – either side of a Fermin Lopez equaliser were enough for Los Blancos, but things got out of control in the final throes of a typically heated game.
In the 10th minute of stoppage time Barcelona midfielder Pedri lost control of the ball and caught Aurelien Tchouameni late with a lunge, and the Spaniard was given a second yellow card.
This caused a major flashpoint as players and staff members on both sides clashed on the touchline and Alonso was forced to hold some of his players back.
Eder Militao and back-up keeper Andriy Lunin were booked, but second later things kicked off again when referee Cesar Soto Grado blew his full-time whistle.
Dani Carvajal appeared to confront Yamal following his barbed comments in the run-up to the clash, when the 18-year-old compared Real to a team that ‘robs, complains, and does things’, something that didn’t go down well in the Spanish capital.
Carvajal seemed to be making a talking gesture with his hands and Yamal, who was saying something back, attempted to approach the veteran full back but was restrained by Edouardo Camavinga.
Several players then piled in, with Thibaut Courtois pushing Yamal away and pointing his fingers at him.
The wonderkid was escorted off the pitch by security but not before Vinicius Jnr tried to challenge him, although the Brazilian was held back.
Several other players from both sides continued to jostle on the pitch following the dramatic encounter, which saw Real go five points clear of their rivals at the top of the LaLiga table.
Bellingham later posted on Instagram after the game and added the caption: ‘Talk is cheap. HALA MADRID ALWAYS!!!,’ in a clear reference to Yamal.
Yamal has been a controversial figure for Real’s players and fans over recent times given the multiple interviews he has given around various El Clasicos.
Speaking this week on the Kings League YouTube channel, the seven-a-side football tournament established by Barcelona icon Gerard Pique, the 18-year-old was asked if Porcinos, a team in the competition, were similar to Real.
‘Yes, they rob (a reference to refereeing decisions); they complain; they do things…’ Yamal replied.
These words reportedly infuriated Real, with Spanish outlet Marca claiming that the Los Blancos dressing room are ‘fed up’ with Yamal.
The report added that Xabi Alonso’s squad were not surprised by Yamal’s actions and were planning to use his words, which were discussed during training, as further motivation for the game.
On Saturday night, Yamal then posted a photo of himself celebrating a goal against Real last season on his Instagram story. In the photo you could see furious supporters gesturing towards him.
His actions come after he had similarly courted controversy last season. After Barcelona fought back to win the Copa del Rey in April, the Spaniard had attracted Real’s ire again when he said: ‘I said to Ronald [Araujo] when we were speaking in the hotel earlier: “If they score one goal, no problem.”
‘If they score two goals? No problem. They cannot handle us this year – we have shown it.’
Those comments generated a furious reaction from those of a Real persuasion, yet Yamal still fanned the flames of the fire just a few days later.
‘While I’m winning, they can’t say anything,’ he added. ‘When they beat me, they can.’
Unsurprisingly, given Yamal’s limited impact on the game this time around, Real’s stars were keen to make the most of their victory at the Bernabeu on Sunday.
