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

The Santiago Bernabéu experienced an afternoon of high voltage. In an intense match, filled with controversy, disallowed goals, and outstanding individual performances, Real Madrid prevailed and secured three crucial points to stay in the fight at the top of La Liga.

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

Despite that warning, it was Mallorca who struck first. In the 11th minute, after a corner kick, Vedat Muriqi got ahead of the defense and with an impeccable header made it 1-0, silencing the Bernabéu. The reaction from Xabi Alonso's men came after the hydration break.

In the 28th minute, Dean Huijsen won a header and assisted Güler, who finished precisely to equalize 1-1. Just a minute later, from the kickoff, Fede Valverde set up Vinícius Jr., who left his marker behind and finished across goal to make it 2-1, unleashing euphoria in the stands.

Before the end of the first half, Mbappé scored again with a great finish, but the referee disallowed it once more for offside, making it the Frenchman’s second invalidated goal.

The magic of Mastantuono and the VAR controversy

In the 55th minute, Franco Mastantuono dazzled with a fantastic play: he left his marker behind with a great dribble and unleashed 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, VAR disallowed the goal for an alleged handball by the Turk.

Ten minutes later, Xabi Alonso decided to substitute Mastantuono, who left the field to a standing ovation from the crowd, to bring on Brahim Díaz.

With this victory, Xabi Alonso's side maintain their momentum and add three vital points to stay in the race for the top of La Liga.

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