Real Madrid 2-1 Mallorca: Los Blancos come from behind to make rivals wait for La Liga trophy
Kylian Mbappe and Jacobo Ramon scored for Real Madrid in the second half to complete a comeback against Mallorca at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, after an early goal from Martin Valjent had put the away side ahead.
The goal ensured that Barcelona’s 28th La Liga title could not be confirmed on the night, with La Blaugrana now needing to win or draw their derby against RCD Espanyol on Thursday to seal the honour themselves.
Real Madrid’s 4-3 loss against Barcelona in the clásico at Montjuic on Sunday effectively ended their season, with Los Blancos now focused majorly on the FIFA Club World Cup coming up in June, and next season under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Proof that Madrid’s season was essentially concluded could be found in the Brazil football federation’s announcement that Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti would be taking charge of the Selecao once the La Liga season ended. The announcement came a day after the clásico loss.
Still, Madrid would much rather not be the ones to hand the title to their fierce rivals, who have beaten them in every fixture between the two clubs this season – which made it all the more interesting to see Mallorca have the ball in the net just after 11 minutes, despite Madrid imperiously dominating possession.
The home side almost produced an immediate response, with Jude Bellingham testing the goalkeeper with a tricky curl towards the far post, but Leo Roman was just able to get his fingertips on it.
Having sprained his ankle during the loss to Barcelona, Vinicius Junior was absent from the squad and Ancelotti chose a front two of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick. The two combined brilliantly on the night but Roman was superb in goal.
Hansi Flick said earlier in the afternoon that he did not know if he would watch the match or not. If he didn’t, surely his players and many club supporters would have kept an eye on this game.
If they did, their excitement would certainly have built up gradually as Madrid tried and failed in front of goal and the trophy drew closer and closer. The home side had 26 corners and over 70 per cent possession. Ramon made 10 saves.
Mbappe, La Liga’s leading goalscorer, inevitably brought Madrid level after the hour mark, but only a win was enough. It remained at 1-1 until the 95th minute when Ramon volleyed their second in to make Barcelona wait.
