Real Madrid Edge Past Mallorca to Go Top of La Liga

Real Madrid fought back from behind to claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory over a determined RCD Mallorca side in the third round of La Liga, maintaining their perfect start to the season and climbing to the top of the table.

It was far from a vintage performance from Carlo Ancelotti’s men, who struggled to break down a resilient Mallorca defence. The visitors took a surprise lead through Vedat Muriqi, capitalising on a rare lapse in Real’s back line. Moments earlier, Kylian Mbappé thought he had opened the scoring, but his effort was ruled out for offside. VAR would later deny both Mbappé and rising star Arda Güler, with two more goals chalked off before half-time.

The second half saw Real Madrid turn up the pressure, but Javier Aguirre’s Mallorca side continued to threaten on the counter-attack and came close to doubling their advantage on several occasions. However, the hosts eventually found a breakthrough and sealed all three points, thanks to a composed comeback led by their attacking line.

While it wasn't a dominant display from the Spanish giants, the result keeps Real Madrid unbeaten with three wins from three. Meanwhile, Mallorca can take heart from a brave performance, though they remain in the relegation zone, sitting 18th after three rounds.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real - RCD Mallorca 2:1 (2:1)
Goals: Muriqi, 18 (0:1); Güler A., 37 (1:1); Vinícius Júnior, 38 (2:1)

Real: Courtois; Militão; Alexander-Arnold (Carvajal, 72); Fernandez Ál.; Huijsen; Tchouaméni; Güler A. (Dani Ceballos, 72); Valverde F.; Mastantuono (Diaz Br., 66); Vinícius Júnior (Rodrygo, 72); Mbappé (García G., 90)
Substitution: Diaz Br. (from 66); Carvajal (from 72); Dani Ceballos (from 72); Rodrygo (from 72); García G. (from 90)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Alaba; Asencio R.; García Fr.; Rudiger
Yellow Cards: Huijsen 67; Militão 89

RCD Mallorca: Roman Leo; Morey (Sánchez An., 78); Lato (Mojica, 78); Kumbulla; Raillo; Valjent; Manu Morlanes; Darder; Torre P. (Samuel Costa, 64); Muriqi; Joseph (Asano, 87)
Substitution: Samuel Costa (from 64); Mojica (from 78); Sánchez An. (from 78); Asano (from 87)
Bench: Bergström; Guijarro; Mascarell; Dani Rodríguez; Prats A.; Llabrés J.; Domenech M.