Real Madrid saw their title ambitions wobble after a dramatic defeat to RCD Mallorca. Vedat Muriqi emerged as the hero, delivering a crushing late blow to the visitors.
Mallorca struck first just before the break through Manu Morlanes. He calmly controlled Pablo Maffeo’s cross before guiding the ball into the bottom corner.
Real Madrid, led by Álvaro Arbeloa, pushed hard for a response throughout the contest. However, goalkeeper Leo Román produced a string of outstanding saves to deny them.
Kylian Mbappé came closest, racing through defenders only to be denied by Roman’s sharp reflexes. The French star was frustrated again when his curling effort was expertly pushed away.
Arda Güler also tested the goalkeeper, but chances kept slipping away. At the other end, Morlanes missed an earlier header but redeemed himself with the opener.
Late collapse leaves Madrid chasing Barcelona as title pressure intensifies
Real thought they had rescued a point late on when Éder Militão headed home from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner. The equaliser in the 88th minute sparked brief relief among the travelling supporters.
However, Muriqi had other ideas and struck his 19th league goal of the season in stoppage time. The dramatic finish sealed a famous win and left Madrid stunned.
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The result means Real failed to close the gap on FC Barcelona at the summit. Meanwhile, Mallorca climbed further from danger, boosting their survival hopes.Real could slip further behind depending on Barcelona’s clash with Atlético Madrid. Pressure continues to mount as the title race enters a decisive phase.
This defeat, their first against Mallorca since February 2023, leaves visible frustration within the squad.
Now, attention shifts quickly to a crucial clash with Bayern Munich in Europe.
Madrid will hope to rediscover form when they host Bayern in the Champions League quarter-final first leg. Anything less than a response could deepen an already growing crisis.
Tags: Vedat Muriqi, Manu Morlanes, Pablo Maffeo, Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid, #HalaMadrid, RCD Mallorca, #LaLiga, La Liga, Éder Militão, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Leo Román, Kylian Mbappé, Arda Güler.
