Real Madrid hosted Mallorca at the Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium looking to grab a win that would put them back into the first spot after Barça´s victory yesterday. On the other side Mallorca, the worst team of LaLiga on the road, needed to get the points in order to keep their battle on avoiding relegation.
Madrid had opportunities since the beginning: Mallorca´s keeper Manolo Reina had work since the beginning, but he was able to clear it up efficiently. First it was Benzema who, after a defensive mistake, picked up a cross from left back Mendy and headed it towards the goal, but Reina saved it. Gareth Bale made an attempt through a long shot that keeper got away, Mallorca´s answer through a run by midfielder Baba that keeper Courtois sent out.
The first goal was right around the corner and it came on the 19th minute, once again with a bit of controversy: Dani Carvajal stole the ball from Dani rodríguez in the midfield, sent a long throw to Modric and he assisted to Vinicius, who finished it above Reina to put the 1-0 on the scoreboard. Mallorca complained on a possible fault on Carvajal´s steal over Dani Rodríguez. Brazilian winger was close to get a brace on the next play, but his shot hit the crossbar.
The game slowed down after the goal and there were no more goals until halftime. Madrid recovered the first spot at this point, but Mallorca were having chances and the match was even so far.
Second half started like the first one: both teams disputed the ball possession, but the best chances were created by Madrid. The second goal came through a fault right outside the box from a handball by Raillo. Sergio Ramos took the free kick and scored an outstanding goal on the top left. This way, Madrid were up 2-0 on the 56th minute, which put some calm into the game. Mallorca kept trying to attack, but they never were very close to shorten up the distance on the scoreboard.
Madrid slowed down the pace as minutes passed by in order to rest for the next upcoming meets. The last minutes of the game left a historical fact at LaLiga. The Mexicna but nationalized Argentinian, Mallorca´s midfielder Luka Romero, who is only fifteen years old, became the youngest player to make his debut. Despite Madrid´s regular performance, they pick up the win and so they return to top of the table. Mallorca compited against Zidane´s team, but they showed a huge lack of finishing. They only have seven games left in order to avoid relegation.
