La Liga Player Ratings and Match Highlights

Real Madrid defeated Mallorca 2-1 in La Liga on Saturday evening.

The hosts had the ball in the back of the net inside the first six minutes, however, it was disallowed due to the goalscorer, Kylian Mbappe, being in an offside position. Real Madrid would’ve taken confidence from this move, although the goal was disallowed due to how easily they managed to unlock Mallorca’s defence. Trent Alexander-Arnold played one simple long ball over the top of the opposition’s defence, and Mbappe controlled it down perfectly and slotted it into the back of the net. Although Real Madrid have a lot of quality, Mallorca’s defence shouldn’t have been exploited as easily as that.

Despite Madrid’s promising start to the match, they found themselves 1-0 down just 12 minutes after their disallowed goal. The goal was converted by Vedat Muriqi, who fired his header into the bottom corner, and just like Madrid’s disallowed goal, this was another simple move. Pablo Torre whipped an excellent ball into the box from a corner, and the big forward, Muriqi, was really the only player who attacked the ball with any type of conviction, and he got first contact on the ball and made it 1-0, stunning the home fans into silence.

Mallorca’s lead lasted just 19 minutes, as Arda Guler equalised in the 37th minute. Once again, the ball was put into the back of the net after a simple but effective move. Alvaro Carreras lofted a ball to the back post, which found Dean Huijsen, and the big defender headed it across goal to Guler, who was on the line and headed the ball into the back of the net from very close range to level it up for his side.

Just one minute after making it 1-1, Madrid completely turned the match around and found themselves in the lead. Federico Valverde pressed the Mallorca midfield pretty much straight after they kicked off again, and the Uruguayan won the ball back, fed it to Vinicius Junior, who then went on a terrific solo run, which ended with him excellently guiding a left-footed finish into the bottom corner. Madrid may have been stunned early on, but they were in full control after Vinicius Junior’s goal.

Just before half-time, Madrid had the ball in the back of the net yet again, once again through Mbappe, but it was once again disallowed as the Frenchman was judged to be offside.

The first big chance of the second half came in the 55th minute, and Madrid had the ball in the back of the net, but once again, it was disallowed, this time for a handball. It was Guler who slotted the ball into the back of the net after some scrappy moments from the Mallorca goalkeeper and defenders, but when it came back to him, it hit his hand, and the goal was subsequently disallowed.

In the 65th minute, Mallorca were inches away from an equaliser, but Carreras produced a superb goal-line clearance to protect his side’s lead.

Not much happened in the match after Carreras’ clearance, and the referee blew his whistle for full-time with the scoreline at 2-1 to Real Madrid.

Match Highlights

Real Madrid Player Ratings

GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10

Hardly had anything significant to do in terms of saves, and also didn’t put a foot wrong with the ball at his feet.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5/10

Produced an excellent clearance in the second half, which pretty much prevented a Mallorca equaliser. The Englishman was defensively solid and was unfortunate not to have an assist to his name as Mbappe was judged to be offside early in the match.

CB: Eder Militao – 7/10

Didn’t have much to do with the ball at his feet, but was kept busy and did well when it came to blocks and clearances.

CB: Dean Huijsen – 8/10

Aerially dominant and produced a good assist for Guler’s goal. Huijsen, like his centre-back partner, Militao, also produced some important clearances and interceptions.

LB: Alvaro Carreras – 7.5/10

Saw more of the ball than any other player on the pitch, and he was very good and efficient with it. Carreras was constantly up and down the left flank and produced an incredible goal-line clearance in the 65th minute.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 7/10

Worked very hard in the middle of the park and gave lots of defensive protection to the Real Madrid back-line.

CM: Federico Valverde – 8/10

Played a key part in Vinicius Junior’s goal, as he won the ball back pretty much straight after Mallorca kicked off. Valverde put in a very solid box-to-box performance, being very good both offensively and defensively.

CM: Arda Guler – 8/10

Unfortunate not to have been credited with a brace, but the Turkish international put in a solid showing and took his goal well. Guler was calm and composed in the final third and created some good chances for his teammates.

RW: Franco Mastantuono – 7/10

Had some really bright moments during his time on the pitch, especially with his footwork and dribbling. The Argentine was bright, but lacked end product in front of goal.

ST: Kylian Mbappe – 7.5/10

Had two goals disallowed due to offside. Although Mbappe’s disallowed goals may have knocked his confidence, it didn’t have an effect on his performance, as he was Madrid’s biggest attacking threat and produced lots of great chances and was a constant threat with his pace in behind.

LW: Vinicius Junior – 8.5/10 (Man of the Match)

The Brazilian superstar took his solo goal incredibly well and was a constant threat down the left flank with his pace, skill and dribbling.

SUB: Brahim Diaz – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Daniel Ceballos – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Daniel Carvajal – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Rodrygo – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Gonzalo Garcia – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

Mallorca Player Ratings

GK: Leo Roman – 6.5/10

Kept busy all throughout the match and produced some really good saves. Roman couldn’t have really done anything about the goals which he conceded.

RWB: Mateu Morey – 5.5/10

Was at fault for Vinicius Junior’s goal as he was dispossessed in midfield. The Spaniard really struggled to deal with the Brazilian, but he stayed resilient and produced some important defensive actions.

CB: Martin Valjent – 6.5/10

Defended very aggressively and produced some important clearances which protected the Mallorca goalkeeper.

CB: Antonio Raillo – 6.5/10

Really helped out Morey up against Vinicius Junior on the right flank and did pretty well. Raillo was defensively solid and was also decent with the ball at his feet.

CB: Marash Kumbulla – 7/10

Saw more of the ball than any Mallorca player. Kumbulla won most of his duels and produced some important clearances and blocks.

LWB: Toni Lato – 6.5/10

Saw plenty of the ball, and although he didn’t produce anything of any note with it, he was efficient with it. Lato struggled defensively at times against Mastantuono, but he also kept him quiet at times.

CM: Manu Morlanes – 7/10

Worked incredibly hard and pressed well in midfield, but didn’t produce much in the final third.

CM: Sergi Darder – 6.5/10

Had plenty of energy and put in a decent box-to-box performance.

CM: Pablo Torre – 7.5/10

Provided an excellent assist for Muriqi’s goal and threatened all throughout the match with his crosses and long balls.

ST: Mateo Joseph – 6/10

Mostly isolated up front, but showed some tidy moments where he brought his teammates into play.

ST: Vedat Muriqi – 8/10

Was a constant nuisance for the Madrid defenders to deal with due to his size and ability to win headers. The big forward took his headed goal very well and gave Mallorca a very good outlet going forward.

SUB: Samu – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Antonio Sanchez – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Johan Mojica – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.​​​​​​​

SUB: Jan Virgili – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.​​​​​​​

SUB: Takuma Asano – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.