In a thrilling match at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid faces Mallorca in the third round of La Liga 2025/26, on Saturday, August 30, at 4:30 PM (Brasília time). The score, up to the 41st minute of the second half, shows a 2-1 comeback for the Merengues, with a stunning goal from Vinicius Junior at the 37th minute of the first half, after Mallorca took the lead with Muriqi. The ongoing match highlights Real Madrid’s attacking prowess, led by Vini Jr. and Mbappé, against a determined Mallorca side aiming to hold a draw. The game, marked by intense moments and VAR reviews, keeps the stadium buzzing. The partial victory reinforces Real Madrid’s push for another win to maintain their 100% record in the competition.
The team under Xabi Alonso controls the game with fast, precise plays, while Mallorca relies on counterattacks and set pieces. The match, with hydration breaks, reflects the heat of the Spanish summer and the intensity of the duel. The Merengue crowd, out in full force, urges the team for more goals.
- Key moments so far:
- Muriqi opens the scoring for Mallorca at the 17th minute of the first half.
- Arda Güler equalizes for Real Madrid at the 36th minute of the first half.
- Vinicius Junior scores a stunner at the 37th minute of the first half.
- Mbappé has a goal disallowed for offside at the 45th minute of the first half.
- Courtois makes crucial saves to keep Mallorca from equalizing.
Attacks and strategies in focus
Real Madrid took the field with an attacking setup, relying on the speed of Vinicius Junior and Mbappé on the wings, with Arda Güler and Mastantuono in midfield to create plays. The Merengue side dominates possession and exploits the flanks, with Alexander-Arnold and Carreras pushing forward. However, Mallorca stands firm, responding with quick transitions led by Darder and Muriqi. Real’s defense, with Militão and Huijsen, struggles with aerial balls, as seen in Muriqi’s goal, but holds strong in one-on-one situations.
Xabi Alonso tweaked the positioning at halftime, bringing on Rodrygo and Ceballos to add dynamism to the midfield. The substitutions paid off, with Real Madrid creating more chances in the second half, though Mallorca threatened on counterattacks. The game remains intense, with both teams chasing a goal.
- Factors shaping the game:
- Real Madrid’s fast-paced offensive transitions.
- Mallorca’s set pieces as a weapon to surprise.
- Courtois’ decisive saves at critical moments.
- Strategic substitutions altering the game’s flow.
Key moments timeline
The match has been packed with excitement and shifts in control. Below are the main moments up to the 41st minute of the second half, highlighting the intensity of the clash:
- 17’ 1H: Muriqi opens the scoring for Mallorca with a shoulder deflection off Pablo Torre’s corner, catching Real’s defense off guard.
- 36’ 1H: Arda Güler equalizes for Real Madrid, heading in at the near post after Huijsen’s flick-on from Carreras’ cross.
- 37’ 1H: Vinicius Junior scores a stunner, driving through the middle, cutting left, and firing a low shot into Léo Roman’s corner.
- 45’ 1H: Mbappé has a goal disallowed for offside after receiving a pass from Arda Güler and finishing precisely.
- 15’ 2H: Matteo Joseph of Mallorca misses an incredible chance in the box, shooting wide after Darder’s low cross.
- 19’ 2H: Muriqi nearly levels for Mallorca, but Courtois makes a great save, and Carreras clears off the line on the rebound.
Disallowed goals and controversies
The VAR has played a starring role, with reviews canceling two Real Madrid goals. In the first half, Mbappé scored at the 5th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. At the 45th minute, another goal by the Frenchman was disallowed for the same reason. In the second half, at the 9th minute, Arda Güler had a goal chalked off after a handball review, sparking complaints from Bernabéu fans. The referee’s decisions have kept the scoreline tight, heightening the match’s tension.
Mallorca also faced controversy, like the foul called on Mbappé at the 28th minute of the second half when he went down in the box, but the referee waved play on. These calls underline the impact of technology in modern football while fueling debates among supporters.
Standout individual performances
Vinicius Junior is the game’s biggest star so far. Beyond his stunning goal, the Brazilian has been pivotal in attack, with dribbles and passes that unravel Mallorca’s defense. Mbappé, despite disallowed goals, remains a constant threat to goalkeeper Léo Roman. For Mallorca, Muriqi leads the attack with physical presence, while Darder orchestrates plays with precise passes. Courtois, with critical saves, prevents Mallorca from drawing level.
- Standout players:
- Vinicius Junior: Stunning goal and key in decisive plays.
- Mbappé: Dangerous but hampered by offside calls.
- Muriqi: Constant threat in Mallorca’s attack.
- Courtois: Saves that secure Real Madrid’s lead.
La Liga landscape
Real Madrid, with two wins in the first two rounds, aims to solidify their lead in the competition. The Merengues beat Osasuna 1-0 and Oviedo 3-0, showing strength despite key absences like Endrick and Bellingham, who watch from the stands. Mallorca, meanwhile, struggles to climb the table, with just one point so far. The gap in shots and possession reflects Real Madrid’s dominance, but Mallorca’s efficiency in key moments keeps the game alive.
The Bernabéu crowd, chanting for Vini Jr.’s shirt, creates a vibrant atmosphere as the home side pushes for a bigger lead. Mallorca, with tactical substitutions in the second half, looks to balance the game and exploit Real’s mistakes.
- Game stats so far:
- Shots: Real Madrid 11, Mallorca 4.
- Corners: Real Madrid 5, Mallorca 3.
- Possession: Real Madrid 62%, Mallorca 38%.
- Yellow cards: Real Madrid 0, Mallorca 1 (Huijsen).
Expectations for the remainder of the match
With the game still ongoing, Real Madrid presses for more goals, while Mallorca bets on counterattacks to find an equalizer. Substitutions by both coaches signal clear strategies: Real aims to maintain momentum with players like Rodrygo and Ceballos bringing fresh legs, while Mallorca bolsters defense with Mojica and Samú Costa to contain the hosts’ pressure. The match remains unpredictable, with chances for game-changing moments in the final minutes.
Vinicius Junior’s stunner underscores his importance to Xabi Alonso’s system. The crowd hopes Real Madrid keeps up the intensity to secure three points and stay unbeaten in La Liga. Mallorca, despite the deficit, shows resilience and could surprise if they capitalize on their rare chances.
