Real Madrid’s defense of their LaLiga title began on a disappointing note as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Mallorca on Sunday. Despite an early goal from Rodrygo, the match was marked by a lackluster performance from Madrid’s star-studded lineup, including the much-anticipated debut of Kylian Mbappe.
The match kicked off with promise for Madrid as Rodrygo found the net in the 13th minute, curling in a well-placed shot after a clever back-heel assist from Vinicius Junior. However, the early lead quickly faded as Madrid struggled to maintain control. Mallorca, playing in front of a spirited home crowd at Son Moix, capitalized on Madrid’s lack of creativity and posed a constant threat on the counter-attack.
Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, two of Madrid’s marquee signings, were largely subdued throughout the match, leaving Vinicius as the team’s primary attacking threat. However, Vinicius faced heavy pressure from Mallorca’s defense and hostile taunts from the crowd, leading to several tense moments on the pitch.
Madrid’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, kept his team in the game with a series of crucial saves, but he could not prevent Vedat Muriqi from equalizing with a powerful header off a corner in the 53rd minute. As the match wore on, Madrid’s frustration grew, and their attempts to regain the lead were thwarted by an inspired performance from Mallorca’s goalkeeper, Dominik Greif.
The game ended on a sour note for Madrid, as Ferland Mendy was sent off with a straight red card in stoppage time for a reckless challenge. The draw leaves Real Madrid with questions to answer as they look to integrate their new signings and build momentum in the season ahead.
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