Real Madrid suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to Mallorca on Saturday, leaving Los Blancos four points adrift of league leaders Barcelona after a stoppage-time winner from Vedat Muriqi punished an uncharacteristic defensive lapse.
Real Madrid’s La Liga ambitions took a significant hit as they failed to capitalize on their dominance at Son Moix.
Despite Kylian Mbappe’s persistent threats down the left, the visitors lacked the clinical edge required to dismantle a disciplined Mallorca defense.
Manu Morlanes opened the scoring for the hosts following a lapse in marking, but Eder Militao appeared to have rescued a point for Madrid with a late header.
However, the drama peaked in injury time when veteran forward Vedat Muriqi found the net to secure a famous victory for Mallorca.
The result places immense pressure on manager Alvaro Arbeloa, whose decision to rotate the squad ahead of a massive Champions League tie with Bayern Munich backfired. Madrid now face a steep climb to regain their footing in the title race.
Real Madrid Player Ratings
Andriy Lunin: 5
The goalkeeper had very little to do for the majority of the match but was beaten by two clinical finishes that he could do little about. He remained largely a passenger as the action unfolded at the other end.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 7
The full-back delivered a much-improved defensive performance, though his usual creative output from open play was muted. He redeemed his afternoon with a pinpoint corner delivery to assist the equalizing goal.
Antonio Rüdiger: 6
While some of his distribution was uncharacteristically sloppy, the German remained a reliable presence in the heart of the defense. He managed the physical threat of the Mallorca attackers well for most of the contest.
Dean Huijsen: 5
The young defender’s afternoon was cut short after he picked up an unnecessary yellow card. His lack of discipline led to an early tactical substitution as Arbeloa sought to avoid a potential red card.
Alvaro Carreras: 6
The left-back was generally dependable throughout the match, providing a steady outlet on the flank. However, he was partially at fault for Mallorca’s late winner, where he could have closed down the space more effectively.
Manuel Angel: 6
The midfielder put in a solid shift, showing great composure on the ball by completing nearly all of his passes. He provided a functional presence in the center for an hour before making way for more experienced options.
Aurélien Tchouaméni: 7
The Frenchman provided much-needed stability and control in the middle of the park. His ability to break up play and win tackles has clearly made him a vital component of Arbeloa’s tactical setup.
Eduardo Camavinga: 6
The midfielder’s overall impressive display was overshadowed by a critical error in the first half. He failed to track the runner for Mallorca’s opening goal, a blemish that proved costly in a tight game.
Arda Guler: 7
The youngster was Madrid’s most creative spark during his time on the pitch, constantly carving out opportunities. However, his attacking intent left the right flank somewhat exposed defensively, creating a tactical imbalance.
Brahim Diaz: 5
It was a quiet outing for the forward, who struggled to impose himself on the game. His primary contribution was tactical, drawing defenders away to create isolated one-on-one situations for Mbappe on the opposite wing.
Kylian Mbappe: 7
The superstar was a constant menace, repeatedly taking on his markers and testing the keeper. He was active and dangerous throughout the match and will likely wonder how none of his numerous attempts found the back of the net.