In a thrilling encounter on Wednesday, Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Real Mallorca in La Liga, effectively postponing Barcelona’s title celebrations.
Los Blancos have narrowed the lead to four points ahead of Barcelona‘s upcoming match against local rivals Espanyol on Thursday, where a win could secure the title for them.
After falling behind early to Martin Valjent’s goal in the 11th minute, Madrid rallied in the second half, scoring twice to prevent their arch-rivals from securing their 28th La Liga title at this stage.
Madrid secured a crucial victory, thwarting Barcelona’s ambitions, as Kylian Mbappe‘s equalizer was overshadowed by Jacobo Ramón’s dramatic strike in the 95th minute.
In a dramatic turn of events, Los Blancos faced a setback against Barcelona in the Clasico on Sunday, placing the Catalans on the verge of clinching the title. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad demonstrated resilience in the closing moments of their match against Mallorca.
“The team demonstrated exceptional performance, exhibiting considerable effort and intensity, resulting in a thoroughly deserved victory,” stated Ancelotti.
“The team expressed satisfaction with their performance, aiming to conclude the season on a high note. Despite a rocky start to the game, they rallied to deliver a strong showing across the board.”
Madrid coach Ancelotti is set to leave his position to assume leadership of the Brazilian national team following a lackluster season in the Spanish capital. He has two matches remaining in his tenure.
In a challenging match at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Madrid side, managed by the Italian coach, faced significant injury setbacks, missing key players such as Vinicius Junior and Rodrigo Goes as they welcomed Mallorca.
“It’s quite unusual to have 12 players sidelined, yet we managed to navigate these challenges with a positive mindset, both individually and collectively,” Ancelotti remarked.
The islanders, currently in ninth place, are aspiring to secure European football for the first time since 2004, showcasing a commendable performance in their recent match.
In a promising display, Madrid’s 18-year-old striker Endrick, a potential future call-up for Brazil by Ancelotti, nearly found the net early in the match, only to have his shot expertly deflected by Leo Roman.
Mallorca seized the initiative with an early goal, as Valjent found himself in a vast expanse of space on the right side of the box to receive the ball.
In a striking moment, the defender unleashed an early shot that found the back of the net, successfully overcoming Belgian custodian Thibaut Courtois. This match also marked his 200th appearance in La Liga.
Roman executed a remarkable save to deny England international Jude Bellingham as Madrid sought to level the score.
The custodian, who recently showcased his skills for Mallorca in a close loss to Barcelona, made crucial saves against Mbappe and Fede Valverde before halftime.
After 68 minutes of intense play, Mbappe finally made his mark for Madrid, showcasing exceptional footwork to evade three Mallorca defenders before delivering a precise shot past Roman.
Kylian Mbappe reached a significant milestone with his 40th goal of the season, showcasing his prowess. However, his team faces the disappointment of concluding the campaign without securing a major trophy, having suffered four defeats to Barcelona in various competitions.
