Real Madrid 5-2 Real Mallorca

Real Mallorca travelled to Real
Madrid on Saturday knowing that
three points would have moved
them out of the relegation zone in
La Liga.
It was the away side that took the
lead early on when Emilio Nsue
headed home from close range, but
Gonzalo Higuain levelled the
scores after 15 minutes.
Mallorca were ahead once more six
minutes later, however, when
Alejandro Alfaro headed a Giovani
dos Santos corner into the back of
the net.
Three goals in five second-half
minutes turned the match in
Madrid's favour, however, with
Cristiano Ronaldo , Luka Modric
and Higuain moving the home side
into a 4-2 lead.
There was also time for Karim
Benzema to get among the goals
in the latter stages as he finished
from close range following good
work from Higuain.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports
Mole 's minute-by-minute live
commentary of the action below.
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6.52pm Evening all! Well, it could
not have gone much better for Real
Madrid in recent weeks. They have
had a disappointing league season,
but they have advanced to the
quarter-finals of the Champions
League with victory over
Manchester United and also into
the final of the Copa del Rey with a
3-1 win over Barcelona.
6.54pm It is a case of too little too
late in terms of the league, despite
overcoming Barcelona at the
beginning of the month, but they
have managed to move above rivals
Atletico Madrid into second. I am
sure that the supporters will
forgive the title this season if Jose
Mourinho secures the Champions
League and the Copa del Rey.
6.56pm Mallorca, however, will
provide stern opposition. They
remain in 18th position in the
table, but have won their last two
to move within two points of
safety. That said, they have
struggled on the road this season
with just two wins from their 14
matches, while Real Madrid have
won 11 of their 13 in this stadium.
6.58pm TEAMS:
REAL MADRID: Lopez; Arbeloa,
Ramos, Varane, Coentrao; Pepe,
Kaka, Modric; Ronaldo, Higuain,
Morata
MALLORCA: Aouate; Hutton,
Nunes, Kevin, Bigas; Tissone, Pina,
Victor, Alfaro; Giovani, Nsue
0 min Here we go then. Just a quick
word on the team news. Alvaro
Morata is handed a start in attack
for the home side, while Pepe will
start in midfield alongside Luka
Modric and Kaka. Mallorca,
meanwhile, once more pair Giovani
dos Santos and Alfaro in attack, but
Nsue also starts. The home side get
the action underway on this mild
evening in Madrid.
2 min Confident start from the
home side as they immediately gain
control of the possession. A low
cross comes into the box from
Kaka, but Jose Nunes is on hand to
make the clearance. You just get
the feeling that Mallorca need to
stay in the match in the early
stages, or it could get really nasty
really quickly.
4 min Alfaro attempts to force the
issue for Mallorca as he collects
possession before driving into the
Madrid half, but Ronaldo is back
doing his defensive work. The
Portuguese finds Kaka, who in turn
fires another cross into the box,
but Aouate is quickest to react.
Giovani has a strike down the other
end, but it was always moving over
the crossbar.
6 min A reminder that Mallorca are
still in the relegation zone, but
they have taken six points from
their last two matches. Should they
win this evening, they would move
out of the bottom three. Tough
ask. Morata is involved for Madrid
as he floats a cross into the box,
but it is too long for Higuain. All
one-way traffic in the opening six
minutes of action.
6 min GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1
Mallorca (Nsue)
7 min Mallorca lead! Incredible
moment in this match as Nsue
meets a cross from Giovani before
thumping his header into the back
of the net. The stadium has been
stunned into absolute silence. For
the neutral, that is the best thing
that could have happened.
9 min First sight of goal for
Ronaldo as he picks up possession
outside the box before striking
towards the bottom corner, but
Aouate was always comfortable in
dealing with the danger. Giovani is
again involved for Mallorca down
the other end, but his cross is
headed clear by Ramos. Mallorca
just need to settle in the next five
or so minutes.
11 minHalf-chance for the home
side as Ronaldo meets a pass from
Higuain before firing a low cross
into the box, but Hutton just does
enough to turn behind for a
corner. The resulting set piece is
taken by Kaka, but once more
Kevin is on hand to clear the
danger. You suspect that Mallorca
will have to ride their luck if they
are to take something from the
match.
13 minNsue is involved for
Mallorca once more as he collects
a pass from Giovani before
advancing on goal, but the
linesman's flag is raised. Morata
attempts to force the issue down
the other end as he combines with
Ronaldo before striking towards
goal, but it was always rising over
the crossbar. Enthralling opening
13 minutes to this match in the
Spanish capital.
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15 minMadrid continue to
dominate the possession, but there
is no end product at the moment
with Higuain seemingly taking up
the space that Ronaldo usually
occupies. Slight problem for
Hutton here as he clashes with
Arbeloa, but it does appear that
the Scottish international will be fit
to continue. Stunned silence in the
Bernabeu with 15 minutes on the
clock.
15 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-1
Mallorca (Higuain)
16 minWell, that did not take long.
Madrid level the scored as Pepe
advances into the penalty area
before finding Higuain, who simply
cannot miss from close range.
Poor defending from Mallorca.
Meanwhile, Giovani appears to have
a problem as he hits the deck
under a challenge from Varane.
18 minAnother half-chance for the
away side this time as Nsue meets
a cross from Giovani, but his effort
is straight at the goalkeeper. Those
two have certainly caused problems
in the early stages of this match.
The end-to-end period continues as
Modric feeds Ronaldo, but once
more the linesman raises his flag.
20 minThe opportunities continue
to fall, this time for Madrid, as
Modric fires a free kick into the
box, but Nunes is on hand to make
the clearance. The lively Giovani
threatens down the other end with
a mazy run, but once more Varane
is across to clear the danger. One
thing is for certain, Mallorca are
more than in this match with 20
minutes on the clock.
21 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-2
Mallorca (Alfaro)
22 minMallorca lead once more!
Incredible scenes in Madrid as
Alfaro meets a corner from Giovani
before thumping his header into
the back of the net. Two headers,
two goals for the away side. What
a sensational opening 22 minutes
to this match. I suspect that we
have not seen the last of the goals.
24 minPepe attempts to level the
scores as he picks up possession
outside the box before striking an
effort towards the bottom corner,
but it was always rising over the
crossbar. Mallorca force a chance
of their own with another cross
into the box, but this time Ramos
heads clear. End-to-end football in
the Bernabeu.
26 minHalf-chance for the home
side as Ronaldo bursts into the
penalty area, but his effort is over
the crossbar. No sign of either
team dropping their tempo as each
continues to commit players to
each attack. Meanwhile, Ronaldo
shows his frustration at losing
possession by thumping the ground
with his fist.
28 minConstant pressure from
Madrid in the last couple of
moments with Ronaldo and Higuain
both having efforts from distance,
but neither can work the
goalkeeper. Two corners follow in
quick succession, but the first is
palmed over by Aouate before Pepe
heads over the crossbar. Little over
15 minutes of the first period
remaining.
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31 minCROSSBAR! Glorious chance
for the home side to level the
scores as Higuain tees up Ronaldo,
but the Portuguese can only thump
his effort against the crossbar. The
Madrid players are not happy at
the moment as they continue to
wave their arms around. Strange
atmosphere inside the stadium,
almost silent.
33 minMadrid continue to force
the issue with Coentrao and
Arbeloa almost playing as wingers,
but the final ball into the box is
just not of the required standard.
The former does manage to find
Ronaldo moments later, but his
header is straight at the
goalkeeper. Mallorca just need to
gain some sort of possession as
they hold on with 33 minutes on
the clock.
35 minKaka is involved for Madrid
as he dances past two defenders
before firing a low cross into the
box, but Hutton is on hand to
make the clearance. The resulting
corner is fired into the penalty
area by Modric, but Aouate comes
to claim the danger, before finding
Nsue in an advanced position.
Little over 10 minutes of the first
period remaining.
37 minIt isn't quite happening for
Ronaldo at the moment as he once
more loses possession, with his
expression showing that of an
angry man. A reminder that
Mallorca have won each of their
last two matches and as it stands,
they would move out of the
relegation zone. But there is still a
lot of football to be played.
39 minAnother half-chance for the
home side as Kaka strikes an effort
from distance, but it is straight at
the goalkeeper. Mallorca just
cannot get out of their own half at
the moment, but they are not
having to deal with too much
pressure. Little over five minutes
of the first period remaining.
42 minIt's sloppy play from
Tissone as the Argentine fells
Ronaldo outside the box, picking
up a yellow card for his troubles.
Ronaldo takes the resulting free
kick, but his effort is straight into
the wall. It falls back to the
Portuguese, but once more the wall
does its job.
44 minLittle over one minute of
the first period remaining and still
Mallorca hold onto their lead. It
almost gets better as Victor carries
possession into the Madrid half,
but Ramos is across to clear for a
corner. Welcome respite for the
away side's defence as Hutton
heads just wide of Alves's post.
45 min+1 Another half-chance for
the home side as Modric's free kick
is met by Nunes, but luckily his
backwards header just drops over
the crossbar. Meanwhile, the
fourth official indicates that we will
play an additional one minute at
the end of the first period.
45 min+1 HALF-TIME: Real Madrid
1-2 Mallorca
7.47pm Wow. What a first half it
has been for Mallorca. They
opened the scoring in the early
stages, but you feared the worst
when they were pegged back by
Higuain. However, they scored
once more through Alfaro to enter
the break in the lead. It is
delicately poised ahead of the
second period.
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7.51pm STATISTICS: Madrid have
dominated the possession with 73%
, while they have had seven
attempts to Mallorca's six. In truth,
the home side have certainly
bossed proceedings, but their
quality in the final third has been
poor. Mallorca have taken the
chances that have been presented
to them.
7.55pm BENCH WATCH: Madrid
boss Jose Mourinho is not short of
options on the bench with Karim
Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Xabi
Alonso just three players that could
make a difference. Meanwhile,
Mallorca have the likes of Tomer
Hemed and Luna in reserve. There
are certainly goals in that list of
players.
7.59pm As it stands, Madrid would
remain second in the table, but
would have the initiative back to
Atletico Madrid in the race for
second, with a win for Diego
Simeone's side tomorrow moving
them back above their capital
rivals. Meanwhile, with the three
points Mallorca would move out of
the bottom three.
46 minHere we go then. Both sets
of players join us on the pitch
ahead of the second period. Never
one to wait to make changes,
Mourinho has introduced Benzema
and Ozil at the interval in place of
Arbeloa and Morata. No changes
for the away side. Madrid get the
second period underway.
48 minDefensive change for the
home side with Ramos moving to
right-back and Pepe moving into
the middle of the defence. It has
been a strong start from Mallorca,
however, with Dos Santos once
more causing problems. The
Mexican has been just sensational
in recent weeks. Can Mallorca hold
onto the three points against a side
that has lost just once in 2013?
50 minMadrid will have 17 players
on international duty over the next
week or so, which has
understandably disappointed
Mourinho, who has a Champions
League quarter-final to prepare
for. First attack for Madrid in the
second period involves Ronaldo,
but it breaks down before Bigas
fires over the crossbar from close
range down the other end.
52 minMallorca are just playing
with such confidence at the
moment as they continue to stroke
the ball around in midfield, but
you just get the feeling that they
need another goal, because Madrid
will improve there is no question
about that. Coentrao whips a
dangerous cross towards Benzema
moments later, but Hutton clears
the danger.
52 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-2
Mallorca (Ronaldo)
53 minMadrid level the scores in
the early stages of the second
period as Ronaldo meets a cross
from Modric before thumping his
header into the back of the net.
That is his 27th league goal of the
season. Stunning header from a
stunning player. All square in
Madrid.
54 minThis is exactly what
Mallorca would have wanted to
avoid. Suddenly the crowd is up as
Madrid attack with pace and
numbers. Another half-chance
arrives as Kaka drives a cross into
the box, but once more the
impressive Hutton is on hand to
clear. Massive 10 minutes or so
coming up for both teams.
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54 minGOAL! Real Madrid 3-2
Mallorca (Modric)
55 minWow! Madrid take the lead
as Modric thumps an effort into
the top corner from some 30
yards. It has taken some time for
the Croatian to settle into this
team, but he has scored some
wonderful goals in recent weeks.
Madrid turn this match around.
57 minWell, that is more like it
from the defending champions. The
changes at the interval have just
completely changed the course of
this match. Mallorca really need to
hang in this match for the next 10
minutes or so, because another
goal at this stage and it could get
really nasty, really quickly.
57 minGOAL! Real Madrid 4-2
Mallorca (Higuain)

58 minMallorca are not entirely
sure what has hit them in this
match. Three goals in five minutes
have changed this match.
Wonderful work from Ozil as the
German darts into the box before
squaring for Higuain, who taps
home from close range.
60 minMallorca have just been
utterly stunned in this second
period. They started positively, but
have been undone by the wealth of
attacking options available to the
home side. If they can score
another, they will be right back in
this match. They have to keep
believing with 30 minutes of
football remaining.
62 minReal party atmosphere
inside the stadium at the moment
as the supporters continue to raise
their voices in the Spanish capital.
Atletico would have been delighted
at the interval, but Madrid will
strengthen their grip on second
with three points this evening.
Mallorca just cannot get out at the
moment as they continue to camp
in their own penalty area.
64 minMadrid make their third and
final change of the match as Alonso
replaces Kaka. Not a bad change to
make. I would be astounded if
there were not more goals in the
final stages. Just a reminder that
following this match we have
action from Valencia against Real
Betis. I have a feeling that one
could be a cracker.
66 minHalf-chance for Mallorca to
get right back in this match as
Giovani stands over a free kick
outside the penalty area, but he
can only strike his effort straight
into the wall. It moves out for a
corner, but Pepe is on hand to
clear the danger. Mallorca,
meanwhile, make their first change
as Hemed replaces Nsue.
69 minTwo half-chances in quick
succession for the home side as
Ozil flashes an effort just wide of
the post before Bigas is forced to
head a Ronaldo effort behind for a
corner. There is just no respite for
Mallorca as they continue to camp
in their own penalty area. Little
over 20 minutes of football
remaining.
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71 minHalf-chance for the away
side this time as Hemed collects
possession in the Madrid box
before finding an effort towards
the bottom corner, but Lopez is
across to make the save. In fairness
to Mallorca, they have tried to
attack in the second period, but
they have just not seen enough of
the ball. They still look stunned
from that five-minute period.
73 minNot too much to report in
terms of chances in the last few
moments with Madrid comfortable
in control of the possession.
Mallorca will take heart from their
performance this evening. In
fairness, their task to remain in the
league will not depend on results at
places such as the Bernabeu. But
they may see this match as a
missed opportunity.
75 minAnother half-chance for the
home side as Ozil finds Ronaldo at
the near post, but his flick is just
wide of the target. Ozil has just
utterly changed the entire course
of this match. He is finding the
pockets of space that were not
available in the first period. Little
over 15 minutes of football
remaining in the Spanish capital.
77 minAnother half-chance for
Madrid as Ronaldo darts into the
box before striking towards goal,
but Aouate is on hand to make the
save. The same battle commences
moments later, but once more the
goalkeeper comes out on top. You
just cannot help but feel that there
are more goals in the final stages
of this match.
79 minMallorca make their second
change of the match as Victor is
replaced by Pereira. Moments
later, Madrid come close to their
fifth as Ozil drives a low cross into
the box, but Kevin just beats
Ronaldo to the ball. Little over 10
minutes of football remaining.
82 minHalf-chance for the away
side this time as Giovani floats
another dangerous cross into the
box, but Pereira can only head
over the crossbar from close
range. Quick side note on the
goalkeeping position at Madrid, it
is understood that Iker Casillas will
be back in action in the next
couple of weeks. Will he come
straight into the team? Alves will
have something to say about that.
84 minMallorca make their third
and final change of the match as
Fontas replaces Tissone. It hasn't
quite happened for Fontas this
season having joined from
Barcelona at the beginning of the
campaign. Madrid continue to force
the issue with a succession of
corners, but no real chances for
either side in the last couple of
moments.
86 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance
for Higuain to add his third of the
match, but his effort is tipped wide
by the Mallorca stopper. Another
half-chance arrives moments later
as Ozil strikes from distance, but it
was always moving wide of the
post.
88 minCHANCE! Glorious
opportunity for the away side to
make it 4-3 as Giovani dances into
the box before striking towards
goal, but Lopez is on hand to make
the save. The rebound falls to
Pereira, but once more the Madrid
goalkeeper makes the save. Good
attitude from Mallorca in the latter
stages.
90 min+1 The away side continue
to pass and probe in the latter
stages with Giovani darting down
the left before finding Hemed in
the box, but the tall striker just
cannot find a strike under pressure
from Ramos. Meanwhile, the fourth
official indicates that we will play
an additional two minutes of added
time and we are indeed into the
first of those.
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90 min+2 GOAL! Real Madrid 5-2
Mallorca (Benzema)
90 min+2 Madrid add gloss to the
score in the final moments as
Higuain finds Benzema in the box,
who turns his effort home from
close range. That is just about that
for this match.
90 min+3 FULL-TIME: Real Madrid
5-2 Mallorca
8.49pm So there we have it. Madrid
score four times in the second
period to record a 5-2 win over
Mallorca.