Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2–1 victory over Real Mallorca on Wednesday night, delaying Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations by at least another day.
Barcelona, who top the table, would have clinched their 28th league crown with a win in Thursday’s clash against Espanyol had Madrid lost. But Carlo Ancelotti’s side battled back from an early deficit at the Santiago Bernabéu to reduce the gap to four points with two matches remaining.
Martin Valjent gave Mallorca a surprise lead in the 11th minute, punishing a static Madrid defence with a well-taken strike past Thibaut Courtois, who was marking his 200th La Liga appearance.
Despite missing key attacking threats, including Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, Madrid piled on the pressure and eventually found their equaliser midway through the second half.
Kylian Mbappé dazzled with fine footwork to evade three defenders before firing home for his 40th goal of the season.
With the game heading for a draw, 20-year-old defender Jacobo Ramon became the unlikely hero. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, he lifted the ball over Mallorca keeper Leo Roman to complete the comeback and momentarily keep Barcelona’s champagne on ice.
The win comes just days after Madrid lost 3–2 to their eternal rivals in El Clásico, a defeat that had seemingly all but confirmed the title for the Catalans. However, this spirited late fightback showed that Ancelotti’s men are not ready to concede just yet.
Ancelotti, who will leave at the end of the season to manage Brazil, watched his injury-hit side dig deep against a Mallorca side pushing for a place in Europe for the first time in two decades.
Roman, their in-form goalkeeper, was outstanding again, thwarting efforts from Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, and Arda Güler.
Madrid’s teenage striker Endrick also came close early on, but it was Mbappé who provided the breakthrough. Still, it was Jacobo’s late strike that proved decisive.
With Barcelona visiting city rivals Espanyol on Thursday, they remain heavy favourites to seal the title. But for now, Real Madrid have ensured they must wait a little longer.
