Real Madrid delivered another dramatic night at the Santiago Bernabéu, coming from behind to defeat Mallorca 2-1 and maintaining their flawless start to the 2025-26 La Liga season. The victory marked their third consecutive league win, but the path to three points was anything but smooth, as the team had to overcome not only an early deficit but also a series of frustrating decisions from the Video Assistant Referee. Mallorca silenced the home crowd in the 18th minute when Vedat Muriqi rose above the defense to powerfully head in a corner, putting the visitors ahead and momentarily shifting the pressure onto.
Los Blancos. For a while, it seemed as if Real Madrid’s dominant possession would not be enough, especially after Kylian Mbappé saw his first goal of the evening ruled out for offside.
The breakthrough finally came in the 37th minute, when Arda Güler pounced on a loose ball inside the box and slotted it past the Mallorca goalkeeper to bring Real level. Just one minute later, Vinícius Júnior showcased his trademark flair and clinical finishing, racing onto a through ball and calmly firing into the bottom corner to give Madrid a 2-1 lead. The rapid turnaround sent the Bernabéu crowd into a frenzy, restoring belief after a tense opening half hour.
The second half, however, proved just as turbulent. Mbappé once again had the ball in the net, only for VAR to intervene and disallow the strike for a marginal offside. Minutes later, Güler was denied what he thought was his second of the night, as the referee judged that he had controlled the ball with his arm before scoring. With every overturned decision, frustration mounted among the players and the fans, who repeatedly voiced their anger toward the officials. Despite the setbacks, Real Madrid showed defensive resilience.
Summer signing Álvaro Carreras produced a crucial moment late in the match, making a stunning goal-line clearance that prevented Mallorca from equalizing. That intervention, combined with composed defending in the final minutes, allowed Madrid to preserve their narrow advantage. By the final whistle, the relief was palpable. Real Madrid not only celebrated three valuable points but also demonstrated their ability to adapt and fight through adversity.
The win keeps them at the top of the La Liga standings with maximum points, while also reinforcing the depth and determination of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. The match, however, leaves lingering questions about the role of VAR and its heavy influence on crucial moments. For Madrid, though, the focus now shifts toward upcoming European fixtures and the international break, with confidence high and momentum firmly in their favor.
