Real Madrid started their La Liga championship defence poorly at Mallorca, with Vedat Muriqi’s second-half header wiping out Rodrygo’s early strike and ruining Kylian Mbappe’s anxiously expected debut on Sunday. Real’s “New Galacticos”—Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr.—performed poorly at Son Moix.
Real Madrid stars fall in boring Mallorca draw
In the 13th minute, Brazilian forward Rodrygo scored a curling shot assisted by Vinicius Jr. (back-heeled pass). As Real grew irritated, dominating possession but without ideas up front, Mallorca started to create counter-attack chances.
With Mbappe and Bellingham out, Vinicius was Real’s only weapon against Mallorca’s disciplined defending. However, the Brazilian lost his calm and was booed by local fans whenever he touched the ball.
Vinicius was racially harassed by local fans at Son Moix in February 2023. He had many heated encounters with competitors on Sunday and was admonished by the referee for gazing into the stands as if to provoke fans.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois produced three great stops to preserve the visitors’ lead, but Muriqi’s 53rd-minute corner header levelled for the locals. Real were annoyed by Vinicius’s problems and Mallorca’s equaliser. Mbappe only threatened twice, sprinting up the left channel in counter-attacks but having his angled efforts saved by an excellent Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif. Real ended the match with 10 men after Ferland Mendy was sent off for a sliding tackle in additional time.
The day after a depleted Barca beat Valencia 2-1 despite missing several important starters, a star-studded Real Madrid struggled to fit Mbappe into their roster, hinting they may need to work harder than they imagined.
