Real Madrid continues its perfect start to La Liga: In the match against RCD Mallorca, it secured its third victory in its third league game—even after falling behind early on. Right in the thick of it: Arda Güler.
Xabi Alonso conceded his first goal on this third matchday in the Spanish top flight after a 1-0 opening win against Osasuna and a 3-0 win at newly promoted Oviedo. And it came at an inopportune moment.
Shortly after Mbappé finished coolly following a strong long ball from new signing Alexander-Arnold, but the VAR subsequently disallowed the goal, Mallorca striker Muriqi was lucky to score with his right shoulder after a corner from the left. Courtois could only watch helplessly as the ball hit the net (18′).
Double strike turns the tide
The goal certainly hit the Royals hard in front of their home crowd of over 70,000 spectators at the Santiago Bernabeu – for a long time, apart from a long-range shot from Tchouameni (31′), there was no equalizer in sight.
A few minutes before the break, however, the Blancos turned up the pressure—and turned the score around with a double strike. First, Arda Güler, who had been called up from the start in the absence of the injured Bellingham (shoulder injury), was completely unmarked after a header from Huijsen and only had to head in from close range (37′).
And just a minute later, Vinicius Junior marched forward after a strong ball win by Fede Valverde, stubbornly refused to pass, and confirmed his ego move with a fine hook and left-footed shot into the bottom right corner (38′). Leo in the Mallorca goal was thus beaten twice in quick succession.
Missed chance to extend lead – Barcelona put under a little pressure
The rest is quickly told: Alexander-Arnold missed the chance to make it 3-1 with a long-range shot that went just over the top left corner (42′), and Mbappé also aimed too inaccurately from close range after a cross from Arda Güler, sending his shot just wide of the left post (43′). This was followed by a successful finish from Mbappé after a through ball from Arda Güler, which was reviewed by VAR (45+1) – offside was ruled and ultimately confirmed (45+2). And there was another goal (55′), which, like Mbappé’s first, was disallowed before Mallorca’s opening goal by the VAR, which took a long time to make its decision (59′).
Thus, of the five goals Real had supposedly scored, only two were recognized at the end of the day—but that was enough to narrowly beat Mallorca 2-1. Ultimately, the underdog posed virtually no threat for the rest of the match.
Following the international break, Real Madrid, who have started with nine points from three games and are putting a little pressure on champions Barcelona, face an away game at Real Sociedad (September 14, 5 p.m.). Mallorca, who have only picked up one point so far, are next away to Espanyol Barcelona (September 15, 9 p.m.).