Police separating the players. Officers stepping in after El Clásico. It’s an image for the history books. A flashback—or maybe a full-blown déjà vu—to the fiery clashes of 2010. Tensions had already been simmering, with both benches exchanging words in the final minutes. But once the match ended... sparks turned into flames. As Lamine Yamal extended his hand, Carvajal called him out for his pregame remarks, gesturing that he “talks too much.” That was all it took. Everything exploded. Total chaos. An ugly scene.
Players began shoving each other right on the field at the end of Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over their eternal rivals. Pushing, shouting, insults flying. A scene so heated that police officers had to step onto the pitch to separate them. Courtois went straight toward Lamine Yamal to confront him as well, angry over his comments before the game. Lamine, unfazed, told everyone to continue the “conversation” in the tunnel. That’s when Vinicius got involved.
“Vini, don’t go in”
Vinicius was already fuming after being subbed off earlier. Visibly furious, waving his arms, shouting toward the sky, refusing to greet Xabi Alonso, and heading straight to the tunnel. He later returned to watch the final minutes from the bench. When the whistle blew, he lingered on the sideline, drinking water—and heard something shouted from the Barcelona bench. The fourth official heard it too and told him, “Vini, don’t go in.” It didn’t work.
Vinicius flies in
Because he went in anyway. Straight into the fight. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha—dressed in street clothes—had challenged him to continue things in the locker room area, and Vinicius literally sprinted toward the tunnel. Several staff members, including goalkeeping coach Llopis and players like Güler, barely managed to restrain him. De Jong looked on in disbelief. Others just tried to calm things down—Camavinga among them.
Fire and fury
But plenty of players were still raging. “Let’s take this to the locker room,” Lamine Yamal told Courtois as he walked off. He had to be led away too. Bellingham stormed in aggressively, also needing to be held back. Tempers flared everywhere—pure fire. Slowly, things began to cool, but not before Lunin was sent off and several yellow cards were handed out.
A huddle to close it out
Barcelona’s players headed straight down the tunnel and off the Bernabéu pitch. Real Madrid’s players, however, formed a celebratory huddle. Jumping, chanting, celebrating with their fans. That’s how the night ended—a scene of embarrassment following a massive win. A Clásico that ended in a brawl; a terrible example for young fans. It’s an image that won’t be forgotten. One straight out of 2010.
The referee’s report
In his match report, referee Soto Grado noted that the postgame fight resulted in Lunin’s red card for “leaving his technical area to confront the opposing bench in an aggressive manner, having to be restrained by his teammates.” The melee also led to bookings for Militao, Vinicius, and Rodrygo on Real Madrid’s side, and Fermín, Balde, and Ferran Torres for Barcelona.
Player reactions on social media
After the win, Eduardo Camavinga wasted no time posting on social media: “My club! Enjoy your Sunday, Madridistas.”
Captain Dani Carvajal, who clashed with Lamine Yamal late in the game, also sent a message to the fans. “El Clásico is ours. Proud of this team and this support.”
Jude Bellingham, scorer of Madrid’s second goal, took a jab at the opposition: “Talk is cheap,” wrote the Englishman.
Vinicius, one of the main figures in the postgame fights, also spoke out online. “A beautiful Sunday at home!! Let’s go, Real Madri!!”
Dean Huijsen celebrated his first Clásico win as a Real Madrid player with a post of his own. “El Clásico is ours. What an afternoon at the Santiago Bernabéu. An unforgettable game. Thanks, Madridistas, for the atmosphere!”
And finally, Lamine Yamal’s father posted a photo with his son, captioned: “Till death do us part, my gang.”