New Rule Triggered! Vinicius Takes More Than 10 Seconds to Leave, Leaving Real Madrid a Man Down for Two Minutes

In the opening round of the Champions League, Real Madrid beat Inter Milan 2-1.

In the closing stages of the match, Vinicius Junior’s delayed departure after being substituted triggered a new substitution rule introduced this season. As a result, substitute Carreras was unable to enter the pitch immediately, leaving Real Madrid with 10 players for around two minutes.

In the 87th minute, Vinicius was substituted, but he took more than 10 seconds to leave the pitch, triggering the new substitution rule. Carreras was left waiting on the touchline and could not come on, meaning Real Madrid had to play with 10 men.

It was not until the 89th minute, when Real Madrid finally cleared the ball out for a goal kick near their own penalty area, that Carreras was allowed to enter the pitch.

New substitution rule: When a player is substituted, they must leave the field within 10 seconds of the substitution board being displayed. If no board is used, the referee’s signal serves as the reference point. If the player fails to leave within the allotted 10 seconds, they must still leave the pitch, but the substitute can only enter at the first stoppage in play after one full minute has elapsed on the match clock. During this period, the team must play with one fewer player.

The referee displayed the substitution board at 86:31, while Vinicius left the pitch at 86:55↓