Real Madrid suffered a major setback in the La Liga title race as Vedat Muriqi’s stoppage-time winner secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Mallorca.
- +La Liga: Mallorca dent Real Madrid title chase
Managed by Álvaro Arbeloa, Madrid appeared to have salvaged a point when Éder Militão headed home with two minutes remaining.
Managed by Álvaro Arbeloa, Madrid appeared to have salvaged a point when Éder Militão headed home with two minutes remaining. However, Muriqi struck in the 91st minute to seal a famous win that lifted Mallorca to 17th, just above the relegation zone.
The defeat leaves Madrid four points behind leaders Barcelona, who face Atlético Madrid later on Saturday.
Arbeloa rotated his squad with one eye on Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich, leaving Vinícius Júnior on the bench.
Mallorca took the lead through Manu Morlanes, who timed his run perfectly to meet Pablo Maffeo’s cross and fire past Andriy Lunin.
Madrid pushed for an equaliser after the break, with Arbeloa introducing Jude Bellingham, Vinícius and Militão, the latter making his return from injury.
Their pressure finally told when Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a precise corner for Militão to power home.
But Mallorca had the final say. Muriqi, one of the league’s top scorers, pounced late to fire past Lunin and hand his side a crucial three points.
The result not only dents Madrid’s title ambitions but also boosts Mallorca’s survival hopes, as they moved two points clear of the relegation zone after a memorable night.
