Real Madrid cut the gap on Barcelona to four points ahead of Catalonia giant’s visit to neighbours Espanyol on Thursday, where they can wrap up the title with a victory.
Trailing for much of the game after Martin Valjent’s 11th-minute opener, two second-half goals for Madrid ensured their arch-rivals did not claim their 28th La Liga title just yet.
The Spanish giant needed to win to deny Barca and Kylian Mbappe’s equaliser and Jacobo Ramon’s 95th-minute strike allowed them to do just that.
Los Blancos’ defeat by Barcelona on Sunday in the Clasico left the Catalans on the brink of the title but Carlo Ancelotti’s side showed fighting spirit in the final stages against Mallorca.
All eyes were on Carlo Ancelotti as the Italian tactician begins his last days as Madrid manager. The former Chelsea boss is departing to take charge of the Brazilian national team at the end of a disappointing season in the Spanish capital.
Currently dealing with injuri problems to the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, changes were made to the starting eleven.
Madrid’s 18-year-old striker Endrick, whom Ancelotti may call up for Brazil in the future, started the game and came close early on but Leo Roman tipped his effort away.
This missed chances was in Mallorca’s favour as they took an early lead when Valjent received the ball on the right of the box in an ocean of space.
Martin Valjent of RCD Mallorca celebrates a goal with teammates during the match against Real Madrid (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
The defender took his shot early and beat Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, making his 200th La Liga appearance. Roman then made a fine save to thwart England international Jude Bellingham as Madrid pushed for an equaliser.
The stopper, who also excelled for Mallorca in a recent narrow defeat at Barcelona, denied Mbappe and then Fede Valverde before the break.
Eventually Mbappe found a breakthrough for Madrid after 68 minutes, with some superb footwork to escape three Mallorca players trying to shut him down, and he drilled past Roman.
It was Mbappe’s 40th goal of a productive season on a personal level. Mateu Morey should have put Mallorca back ahead almost instantly after a Jacobo error, but Courtois denied him one-on-one.
Roman produced yet another fine save from Arda Guler’s drive before Valjent headed Mbappe’s effort off the line and to safety with the goalkeeper out of position.
It looked like despite Madrid’s efforts they were not going to find a winner but 20-year-old defender Jacobo lifted a dropping ball over Roman’s head as the Mallorca defence hesitated.
