A Match Full of Twists
Real Madrid continued their perfect start to the La Liga season with a dramatic 2‑1 win over Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabéu. After falling behind early, the home side responded with sheer brilliance—scoring twice in just 60‑odd seconds to clinch victory before the international break.
Early Shock: Mallorca Strike First
Mallorca stunned the Bernabéu in the 18th minute when Vedat Muriqi nodded in Pablo Torre’s corner, capitalizing on Real’s uncharacteristic lapse in defending to grab a surprise lead.
Brilliant Reversal: Goals in Quick Succession
Madrid’s response was electric:
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Arda Güler, rising star at just 20, equalized with a clinical header from Dean Huijsen’s flicked cross.
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Mere moments later, Vinícius Júnior surged into space and unleashed a composed finish—on his weaker foot—into the bottom corner, giving Real the lead within no time.
VAR Drama: Disallowed Goals Galore
The game was far from straightforward. Real had three additional goals disallowed—two by Kylian Mbappé for offsides, and one by Arda Güler ruled out for handball. The boiling frustration made Madrid’s eventual breakthrough all the more satisfying.
Defensive Heroics: Carreras to the Rescue
Mallorca pushed back in the second half, but new signing Álvaro Carreras delivered a massive defensive moment with a goalline clearance that preserved the 2‑1 lead and sealed the win.
Xabi Alonso’s Verdict: Tactically Sound
Manager Xabi Alonso praised the team’s character and adaptability. He highlighted the tactical tweaks made during the drinks break—improving pressure and second-ball dominance—as pivotal to turning the tide. He also commended individual performances, including Carreras’ defensive work, Vinícius Jr’s impact, and Rodrygo’s contribution, while noting Mbappé’s near-misses as a case of fine margins in form.
Stat Corner: Underlying Brilliance
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Arda Güler boasted a whopping 90.5% pass accuracy and a key attacking presence around the box.
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Vinícius Jr. dominated the offensive zones with 14 progressive carries and 55 touches, illustrating his influence in advanced positions.
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In midfield, Dean Huijsen rang the alarm with 28 progressive passes and topped the match with 1.765 expected threat (xT), underlining his orchestration.
Fan Reaction & Broader Context
The result means Real remain unbeaten, racking up three wins from three in La Liga—impressive, especially given the shortened preseason and early-season busy schedule.
Trent Alexander‑Arnold’s return to the starting XI also shaped the creative outlet in Vaughan, while Mbappé’s non-stop threat, despite the disallowed goals, hints at impending fine-tuning rather than concern.
Looking Ahead: Momentum and Midweek Challengers
Now looming is the international break—followed by a Champions League run. Alonso emphasized the importance of building on this win’s momentum, fine-tuning dynamics, and making the most of squad depth to combat fixture fatigue.