Real Madrid vs Mallorca, La Liga 2025: Real Madrid Edge Mallorca 2-1 in Thrilling Comeback at Santiago Bernabéu.
Match Overview
On a vibrant evening at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on August 30, 2025, Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mallorca in the third match of the 2025-26 La Liga season. The win marked Real Madrid’s third consecutive victory, maintaining their perfect start under manager Xabi Alonso.
Mallorca, still searching for their first win of the season, took a surprise lead through Vedat Muriqi’s 18th-minute goal, but Real Madrid responded swiftly with Arda Güler’s equalizer in the 37th minute and Vinícius Júnior’s stunning solo effort just a minute later. Despite three disallowed goals and a spirited Mallorca performance, Real Madrid’s resilience and attacking quality shone through in front of 72,699 fans. This match showcased Madrid’s depth, with young talents like Güler and Dean Huijsen stepping up, while Mallorca’s early promise was undone by their inability to capitalize on key moments.
Pre-Match Context
Real Madrid entered the match as favorites, buoyed by two opening wins and the integration of high-profile signings like Kylian Mbappé and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Xabi Alonso’s side aimed to continue their attacking dominance, having scored freely in their previous outings. Mallorca, under coach Jagoba Arrasate, were yet to secure a point after draws and losses in their opening fixtures. Their game plan centered on defensive solidity and exploiting set pieces, with Vedat Muriqi as their focal point in attack. The Santiago Bernabéu, bathed in the electric atmosphere of a near-capacity crowd, set the stage for a classic La Liga encounter.
Team Lineups and Tactical Setup
Real Madrid lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Thibaut Courtois in goal, a backline of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, and Fran García, and a midfield trio of Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Luka Modrić. The attacking trident featured Arda Güler, Kylian Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior. Notably, Alexander-Arnold returned to the starting XI after being benched in the previous match, adding creativity from the right flank. Mallorca opted for a 5-4-1 setup, designed to frustrate Madrid’s attack. Dominik Greif guarded the net, with a defensive line of Pablo Maffeo, Giovanni González, Martin Valjent, Antonio Raíllo, and Toni Lato. The midfield comprised Pablo Torre, Samú Costa, Manu Morlanes, and Sergi Darder, with Muriqi as the lone striker.
First Half: A Tale of Three Goals
The match began with Real Madrid asserting early dominance, controlling possession and probing Mallorca’s compact defense. However, it was Mallorca who struck first, capitalizing on their set-piece prowess.
Mallorca’s Early Lead (18th Minute)
In the 18th minute, Mallorca stunned the Bernabéu with a well-worked goal from a corner. Pablo Torre’s inswinging delivery found Vedat Muriqi, who bundled the ball over the line after a physical battle with Dean Huijsen. The goal, Mallorca’s first shot on target, highlighted their threat from set pieces and exposed a rare lapse in Madrid’s defensive organization. Muriqi’s physicality and Torre’s precise delivery gave the visitors a 1-0 lead, silencing the home crowd momentarily. Mallorca’s celebrations were tempered by the knowledge that holding the lead against Madrid’s attacking juggernaut would be a tall order.
Real Madrid’s Quick Response (37th and 38th Minutes)
Real Madrid’s response was swift and decisive. In the 37th minute, they equalized through a set-piece of their own. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deep free-kick was met by Dean Huijsen, who towered above the Mallorca defense to head the ball down. Arda Güler, positioned perfectly at the far post, nodded the ball past Dominik Greif to make it 1-1. The goal showcased Madrid’s aerial prowess and Huijsen’s growing influence as a young defender. Güler’s composed finish marked his first La Liga goal of the season, igniting the Bernabéu.
Just a minute later, in the 38th minute, Vinícius Júnior produced a moment of individual brilliance to give Madrid the lead. Receiving the ball from Federico Valverde on the left flank, Vinícius embarked on a mazy run, weaving past three Mallorca defenders before curling a precise shot into the far corner. The goal, a contender for goal of the week, underlined Vinícius’s flair and ability to turn matches single-handedly. His celebration, a nod to the Bernabéu faithful, sent the crowd into raptures. At 2-1, Madrid had flipped the script in a matter of minutes, showcasing their attacking depth and resilience.
Disallowed Goals and Missed Opportunities
Real Madrid’s dominance was evident, but they were denied a larger lead by three disallowed goals. In the 10th minute, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pinpoint cross found Kylian Mbappé, who headed home, only for VAR to rule it out for a marginal offside. Mbappé had another goal chalked off in the 25th minute, again for offside, after a slick one-two with Vinícius. Arda Güler also saw a potential second goal disallowed in the 42nd minute for a handball in the build-up, as confirmed by VAR. These decisions frustrated Madrid but kept Mallorca in the game. Mallorca, meanwhile, struggled to create chances beyond their set-piece threat, with Muriqi isolated and Courtois largely untested after the opening goal.
The half ended with Real Madrid leading 2-1, having registered 12 shots (4 on target) compared to Mallorca’s 3 (1 on target). Madrid’s 68% possession and relentless pressure underscored their control, but Mallorca’s defensive resilience and counter-attacking threat kept the game competitive.
Second Half: Madrid Hold Firm
The second half saw Real Madrid maintain their intensity, though Mallorca grew into the game, seeking an equalizer. Xabi Alonso’s side focused on controlling the tempo through Modrić and Valverde, while Mallorca relied on quick transitions and set pieces to threaten.
Mallorca’s Push for Parity
Mallorca started the second half brightly, with Pablo Torre and Sergi Darder combining to create a chance for Muriqi, whose header sailed narrowly over in the 50th minute. The visitors’ 5-4-1 formation allowed them to absorb pressure, but their lack of cutting edge in the final third limited their threat. Substitute Cyle Larin, introduced in the 60th minute, added pace to Mallorca’s attack, but his effort in the 65th minute was comfortably saved by Courtois. Mallorca’s best chance came in the 72nd minute when a Torre free-kick found Raíllo, whose header was cleared off the line by Militão. These moments showed Mallorca’s potential to punish lapses, but Madrid’s defense, marshaled by Huijsen and Militão, held firm.
Real Madrid’s Control and Near Misses
Real Madrid continued to create chances, with Mbappé and Vinícius proving constant threats. In the 55th minute, Mbappé’s curling effort was tipped over by Greif, who was Mallorca’s standout performer in goal. Vinícius nearly doubled his tally in the 68th minute, but his low drive was deflected wide by Valjent. Substitutes Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz, introduced in the 70th minute, added fresh legs, with Rodrygo’s 80th-minute shot forcing another fine save from Greif. Despite their dominance, Madrid couldn’t add to their lead, with Mallorca’s compact defense and Greif’s heroics keeping the scoreline tight.
Key Substitutions and Tactical Shifts
Xabi Alonso’s substitutions, including Rodrygo for Güler and Brahim for Mbappé, were aimed at maintaining attacking impetus while managing player fatigue. Mallorca’s Arrasate brought on Larin and Dani Rodríguez to inject energy, shifting to a more aggressive 4-4-2 in the final 15 minutes. However, Madrid’s midfield, led by Valverde’s relentless running and Modrić’s composure, ensured they controlled the game’s tempo. Alexander-Arnold’s versatility, switching between right-back and midfield roles, added a dynamic element, though his influence waned in the second half.
Key Performances
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid): His stunning solo goal in the 38th minute was the match-winner, earning him the Player of the Match award. His dribbling and flair consistently troubled Mallorca’s defense.
Arda Güler (Real Madrid): The young Turkish star scored his first La Liga goal of the season and was a constant threat, though his disallowed second goal frustrated him.
Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid): The young defender’s assist for Güler’s goal and solid defending against Muriqi highlighted his potential as a future star.
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid): His assist for Vinícius’s goal and tireless work in midfield were crucial in maintaining Madrid’s control.
Vedat Muriqi (Mallorca): His 18th-minute goal gave Mallorca hope, and his physical presence challenged Madrid’s defense throughout.
Pablo Torre (Mallorca): The Barcelona loanee’s assist for Muriqi’s goal and creative play from set pieces were bright spots for Mallorca.
Dominik Greif (Mallorca): His string of saves in the second half kept Mallorca in the game, earning praise from Arrasate.
Tactical Analysis
Real Madrid’s game plan revolved around quick transitions and exploiting the flanks, with Alexander-Arnold and Vinícius providing width. Their ability to respond immediately to Mallorca’s opener showcased their attacking depth and mental resilience. Xabi Alonso’s use of a high press disrupted Mallorca’s build-up play, forcing them into long balls that Huijsen and Militão dealt with comfortably.
Mallorca’s 5-4-1 formation was effective in limiting space but left them vulnerable to individual brilliance, as seen in Vinícius’s goal. Their reliance on set pieces was a strength, but their lack of creativity in open play highlighted the gap in squad quality.
Match Statistics
Possession: Real Madrid 66%, Mallorca 34%
Shots: Real Madrid 18 (6 on target), Mallorca 8 (3 on target)
Corners: Real Madrid 7, Mallorca 4
Fouls: Real Madrid 10, Mallorca 14
Expected Goals (xG): Real Madrid 2.3, Mallorca 0.9
Pass Accuracy: Real Madrid 89%, Mallorca 78%
Milestones and Records
Real Madrid’s Perfect Start: Their third consecutive win marked their best La Liga opening since 2019-20.
Arda Güler’s Milestone: His 37th-minute goal was his first of the 2025-26 La Liga season, making him the youngest Madrid scorer this season at 20 years and 6 months.
Vinícius Júnior’s Consistency: His goal took his La Liga tally to 4 goals in 3 matches, reinforcing his status as a Ballon d’Or contender.
Mallorca’s Set-Piece Threat: Their opening goal was their third from a corner this season, the most in La Liga.
Post-Match Reactions
Xabi Alonso praised his team’s character: “Going behind early at home is never easy, but the boys showed great mentality to turn it around quickly. Vinícius and Arda were fantastic, and the defense held strong.” He also acknowledged Mallorca’s resilience: “They’re a tough side, especially from set pieces. We had to be sharp.”
Mallorca’s Jagoba Arrasate expressed mixed feelings: “We competed well and took the lead, but Madrid’s quality in those two minutes changed the game. Greif was outstanding, and we’ll take positives from this.” Vinícius, speaking to Movistar, dedicated his goal to the fans: “The Bernabéu gives me wings. This team is special, and we’re just getting started.”
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