Vedat Muriqi's injury-time winner delivered a stunning upset for Mallorca against title-chasing Real Madrid.
Mallorca stunned Real Madrid with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on April 4, 2026. Muriqi's late goal sealed a memorable upset, sending the home fans into raptures.
Second-placed Real Madrid arrived seeking to close the gap on the league leaders. Struggling Mallorca, sitting 18th in La Liga, desperately needed points to boost their survival hopes. Their recent form was poor, contrasting sharply with Real's title aspirations.
The visitors dominated early possession, controlling 64% of the ball throughout the match. Mallorca defended resolutely, limiting Real Madrid's clear-cut chances. Goalkeeper Leo Román made crucial early saves, showcasing his importance to the team.
Against the run of play, Mallorca found a breakthrough in the 41st minute. Pablo Maffeo delivered a precise cross from the right flank. Manu Morlanes then expertly guided the ball home with a clinical finish. The home crowd erupted as Mallorca took a surprising lead.
Real Madrid entered the break trailing by a single goal. Carlo Ancelotti faced a significant challenge to ignite his side. Changes were expected to provide more attacking impetus and break down Mallorca's stubborn defensive block.
Real Madrid introduced attacking talent early in the second half. Éder Militão, Vinicius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham all came on in the 59th minute. Mallorca continued to battle fiercely, earning yellow cards for Leo Román and Martin Valjent.
The pressure from the visitors eventually told in the 88th minute. Éder Militão, on as a substitute, rose highest to power home an equalizer. He connected well with a cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. It seemed Real Madrid had snatched a vital point.
However, Mallorca delivered a final, stunning blow in the first minute of injury time. Substitute Mateo Joseph provided a fantastic assist, finding Vedat Muriqi. The Kosovan striker headed past the Real Madrid goalkeeper, securing the dramatic winner. The stadium erupted.
Despite Real Madrid's 64% possession and 15 total shots, Mallorca proved more clinical. The home side scored twice from just two shots on target. Real Madrid's expected goals (xG) of 1.27 slightly edged Mallorca's 1.22, but conversion was key. Leo Román's five saves were pivotal.
This dramatic 2-1 victory provides Mallorca with a crucial lifeline in their fight against relegation. The three points could prove invaluable in their survival bid. For Real Madrid, the dropped points are a severe blow to their La Liga title challenge. The result sends shockwaves through the league standings.
Next, Mallorca will aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures. Real Madrid must regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks as the title race intensifies.
