The Spanish title race took a dramatic turn on Saturday as Mallorca pulled off a sensational 2-1 victory over Real Madrid. In a match that shook the standings at both ends of the table, Vedat Muriqi proved to be the hero, scoring a clinical stoppage-time winner that sent the home fans into a frenzy. The result provides a massive boost to Mallorca’s survival hopes while leaving Alvaro Arbeloa’s side facing a steep climb to catch league leaders Barcelona.
With a crucial Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich looming on Tuesday, Arbeloa opted to start Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham on the bench. Despite the presence of Kylian Mbappe, who returned from a lingering knee sprain, Madrid lacked their usual clinical edge in the final third. Mallorca’s goalkeeper Leo Roman was in inspired form, repeatedly denying Mbappe from close range to keep the game scoreless early on.
The deadlock was broken by Manu Morlanes, who arrived late in the box to fire home a Pablo Maffeo cross, punishing a lapse in the Madrid defense. Looking for a spark, Arbeloa introduced his heavy hitters, including Eder Militao, making his first appearance since December. The pressure finally told in the 88th minute when Trent Alexander-Arnold swung in a signature corner for Militao to power home a header, seemingly rescuing a point for the visitors.
However, the drama wasn’t over. In the 91st minute, Vedat Muriqi pounced on a loose ball to lash home his 18th league goal of the campaign, moving him just behind Mbappe in the Pichichi race. The defeat leaves second-place Real Madrid four points adrift of the top spot, while Mallorca climbs to 17th, sitting two points clear of the relegation zone. It was a famous night in Mallorca that could define the destination of the La Liga trophy.
Do you think Real Madrid’s decision to rest key players for the Champions League has cost them the La Liga title?
