Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr only received a yellow card after he grabbed and pushed RB Leipzig's Willi Orban in the Champions League.
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Vinicius escapes red card against LeipzigGrabbed and pushed Orban by the throatHeinrichs and Orban criticize BrazilianMovistarWHAT HAPPENED?
Real Madrid edged past the Bundesliga side despite struggling to maintain rhythm through the 90 minutes, however, Vinicius' goal was enough to see them through thanks to their 1-0 win in the first leg. The goal came in controversial circumstances as Leipzig felt the Brazilian should have been sent off minutes earlier for a clash with their captain.
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Speaking to Sky Sport Germany after the game, Benjamin Henrichs said: "If one of our players went for the neck of a Real Madrid player, he'd be sent off 100%."
Willi Orban added: "The referees don’t have the guts to put such players down. He grabs my neck with both hands. That’s disrespectful."
Jose Breton/APTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Real Madrid have been at the centre of controversy over the last week as they also had an incident during their La Liga draw against Valencia when referee Jesus Gil Manzano blew the full-time whistle just as Jude Bellingham scored in the 98th minute. A flurry of Madrid players approached the referee angrily and a ended up with the English midfielder being sent off and slapped with a two-match ban.
WHAT NEXT?
Vinicius will be thanking his lucky stars that the referee's oversight meant he stayed on the field and was able to score the decisive goal for Real Madrid. Los Blancos are now through to the quarter-finals at the expense of the German and will await the draw to see who they face next.