Comeback and controversy: Real Madrid edge Mallorca 2-1 | OneFootball

The Santiago Bernabéu experienced a high-voltage afternoon. In an intense match, with controversies, disallowed goals, and great individual performances, Real Madrid prevailed and added three key points to continue fighting at the top of the Spanish League.

The start of the match was thrilling. At the 6 minute mark, Trent Alexander-Arnold broke lines with a perfect pass to Kylian Mbappé, who finished with class to open the scoring, but the goal was disallowed for offside after VAR review.

Despite that warning, it was Mallorca who struck first. In the 11th minute, after a corner kick, Vedat Muriqi anticipated the defense and with an impeccable header put the 1-0, silencing the Bernabéu. The reaction of the team led by Xabi Alonso came after the hydration break.

At the 28th minute, Dean Huijsen won a header and assisted Güler, who finished accurately to level 1-1. Just a minute later, from the kickoff, Fede Valverde enabled Vinícius Jr., who left his marker behind and finished across to score the 2-1 and unleash euphoria in the stands.

Before the end of the first half, Mbappé scored again with a great finish, but the referee disallowed it again for offside, being the Frenchman's second disallowed goal.

The magic of Mastantuono and the VAR controversy

At the 55th minute, Franco Mastantuono dazzled with a fantastic play: he left his marker behind with a great feint and took a powerful shot that Leo Román managed to deflect with a spectacular save. Arda Güler took advantage of the rebound and scored what seemed to be the 3-1, but, after review, the VAR disallowed the goal for an alleged handball by the Turk.

Ten minutes later, Xabi Alonso decided to replace Mastantuono, who left the field to applause from the crowd, to bring on Brahim Díaz.

With this victory, Xabi Alonso's team maintains the momentum and adds three fundamental points to continue in the fight for the top of the Spanish League.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.