MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid experience some late drama on Wednesday night as they beat Mallorca 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, keeping their La Liga title hopes alive. With Barcelona poised to clinch the title after their victory over Madrid just days earlier, this match was crucial for Carlo Ancelotti‘s team.
In a game filled with tension, Martin Valjent opened the scoring for Mallorca in the 11th minute, leaving Madrid fans worried and frustrated. But the tide turned in the second half when Kylian Mbappé scored the equalizer in the 68th minute, showcasing his sheer talent by dribbling through defenders with ease.
Just when it seemed like a draw was on the cards, 20-year-old centre-back Jacobo Ramón struck the decisive goal in the 95th minute, igniting the crowd and sparking wild celebrations. “It’s incredible to score in a moment like this, it means everything to us,” Ramón said after the match, his excitement clear in his voice.
The match was bittersweet for Madrid as they faced numerous absences due to injuries and suspensions. Key players like Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, and David Alaba were missing, leaving the squad thin. Ancelotti, whose own departure to become coach of Brazil was announced earlier in the week, watched the game with both hope and concern.
Despite the victory, Madrid remains four points behind Barcelona, making their path to the title complicated. “Anything can happen in football, we just need to keep believing,” Ancelotti stated post-game, stressing that the title race is not over yet. However, with only two games left for Madrid and three for Barcelona, the odds seem stacked against them.
Real Madrid dominated the game in terms of shots, registering a remarkable 39 attempts to Mallorca’s mere four. Goalkeeper Leo Román put in a stellar performance, saving shots from the likes of Jude Bellingham and Luka Modrić, but he couldn’t hold off Ramón’s late winner.
Mbappé’s equalizing goal brings him up to 28 league goals this season, two ahead of Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the race for the top scorer. His performance has broken multiple records, including becoming the first player to score 40 goals in his debut season for the club.
Mallorca, despite the loss, showed resilience and will be aiming for a strong finish in their remaining fixtures. They currently sit in a mid-table position but need to secure points to avoid any late-season drama regarding relegation.
The La Liga title race continues as Barcelona prepares to face Espanyol, which could seal the championship for them. For Real Madrid, the battle isn’t over yet, and with their next matches against Sevilla and Real Sociedad, the team must keep fighting for every point.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor@nnn.ng
