Real Madrid - Mallorca summary: score, goals, highlights, LaLiga 2023-24

What next for Real Madrid?

Next up for Real Madrid is a Copa del Rey round-of-32 tie away to Spanish four-tier club Arandina on Saturday (6 January). What kind of team will Carlo Ancelotti put out in that one, I wonder? 

Los Blancos don't return to LaLiga action until 21 January, when they will face Almería. That's because they'll be off at the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia (where else?), with their semi-final against Atlético Madrid on 10 January and a potential final on 14 January.

We'll have coverage of that competition right here on AS USA.

Mallorca are Rüdiger's favourite - and only - victims

Two LaLiga goals for Antonio Rüdiger, both against Mallorca. They always say Germans like the Balearic Islands, don't they? 

Mallorca now only three points clear of relegation zone

Thanks to Celta Vigo's win over Real Betis, Mallorca are now only three points clear of the relegation zone. The typical game in which you think "if they play like that for the rest of the season, they'll be fine".

Real Madrid confirmed as LaLiga "winter champions"

Whether you believe it's a thing or not, Real Madrid will be "winter champions" of LaLiga no matter what Girona do against Atlético Madrid later. That clash will start in just a few minutes. 

Los Blancos' 3-0 win at Montilivi means Madrid have the better head-to-head record between the teams as things stand. 

Mallorca's six-game unbeaten run ended by Real Madrid

Mallorca will take a lot of confidence, if no points, from their performance at the Bernabéu. But, as I said, if you don't kill off Madrid, they'll get you. 

Real Madrid edge Mallorca for first win of 2024

Mallorca were superb for 70 minutes or so, but there was a sense they were flagging a bit in the closing stages. You just can't do that against Real Madrid, who never got anywhere near top gear but always, always seem to find a way to get the job done. 

Full time: Real Madrid 1-0 Mallorca

Antonio Rüdiger's second-half header the difference as Real Madrid eek out another win despite not being especially impressive. 

Mallorca are giving it a decent go in the last couple of minutes, although they can't quite work a shooting position. 

Rajkovic plucks the corner out of the air and releases Ndiaye with a brilliant pass, but the winger runs it out of play. 

A corner for Madrid, and they're not in any hurry. 

Three minutes of injury time to be played. 

Ceballos' effort hits the wall and Mallorca break! Ndiaye leads the charge down the right and crosses with men in the box...but Vázquez clears the danger!

Real Madrid want another penalty for handball, but that was clearly outside the area. A chance for Ceballas from the free kick, though.

Darder gets two goes at it but only succeeds in winning a throw-in. 

Mallorca have barely attacked in the last 10-15 minutes but they've got a chance to get the ball in the box from this free kick. 

And a huge ovation for Modric as he goes off, along with Rodrygo. 

Vázquez and Ceballos come on. 

Ndiaye replaces Sánchez for the visitors. 

Bellingham rifles one over from the edge of the box from the second phase of play. 

The danger is gone, only momentarily, as Rodrygo's effort is deflected over.

And now they have to face a free kick on the edge of the box after Mascarell hauls down Bellingham. 

Have Mallorca got anything left in the tank? I don't think they do...

I don't know how many times I've said it over the years, but Real Madrid's ability to win a game of soccer when they've done little to deserve it is absolutely astonishing. It's been going on forever. 

Nothing fancy. Modric whips a corner in and Rüdiger's glancing header flies into the top corner!

Madrid have definitely stepped things up in terms of possession and territory. Mallorca looked to have tired a bit. 

Less than 15 minutes to go...

A brilliant turn in the box from Bellingham, whose cross is blocked. Madrid appear for handball but a quick check reveals there's no penalty. 

Brilliant, initially, from Darder as he works his way out of trouble inside his own half. His cross-field pass to Lato, though, skips out of play and a potential attack stops there. 

Darder, Prats and Mascarell replace Larin, Morlanes and Rodríguez. 

How will those changes affect the last 20 minutes?

End-to-end stuff as Maffeo runs all of 60 yards but crosses straight to Lunin, before Tchouaméni smashes one from 35 yards which flies well over. 

HOW DID THAT STAY OUT???

How are Madrid not ahead?? Rajkovic makes a superb stop to keep out Rodrygo's shot, but the ball skips up to Brahim, who somehow manages to head against the post and cross the face of goal when he looked certain to score!

Mallorca have countered a bit less in the last few minutes but they got bodies forward there, with González's cross cleared crucially by Carvajal!

It's not Güler time yet. Joselu is on, Kroos goes off. An attacking change from Ancelotti. 

Arda Güler warming up for Real Madrid

What a story it would be if the teenager was the man to make the breakthrough.

With Vinícius going off, Rodrygo has gone across to the left slightly, with Bellingham and Brahim playing more central roles. 

You wouldn't want to get in between Larin and Rüdiger, would you? The Canadian gets the chance to run past the German and towards goal but takes a loose touch, allowing the Madrid man to make a crucial interception. 

Seconds after coming on, Brahim is clattered into by Nastasic, who is booked for his troubles. 

Vinícius replaced before the hour mark

Almost an hour into his return from injury, Vinícius is replaced by Brahim Díaz. The Brazilian looks to be OK, it seems to be a case of easing him back in. 

Aguirre's side are creating, but squandering, some decent opportunities. And we all know what happens when you do that against Real Madrid, don't we?

Sánchez volleys over!

ANOTHER good chance for Mallorca! Sánchez gets on the end of a cross from the left ahead of García and volleys over from 12 yards!

I'd argue Mallorca have performed even better in the second half than they did in the first. 

That was a superb passing move from the visitors, who worked their way up the field so smoothly. 

Samu hits the post!

That's brilliant, brilliant play from Mallorca! It looks as if they're going to get a free-kick on the edge of the box but an advantage is played and Samu crashes a low shot off the post!

Kroos steps up...and curls just high, and just wide. 

Oooooh, this could be trouble for Mallorca. A free-kick for Madrid just outside the box.

Maffeo slices over for Mallorca!

Another decent chance for Mallorca! A corner drops to the back post to Maffeo, who slices an effort high and wide. He could've done better there...

Real Madrid are furious at Rodrygo being penalised for a foul on Morlanes, although there clearly looked to be an arm in the face to me...

Excellent backtracking from Samu to slide in and stop Modric from crossing from the right. He even played it off the Croat for a goal kick. Chapeau. 

Maffeo plays the ball down the right into Larin, who has the chance to turn and run at Rüdiger but opts not to. He's be one-on-one quite a few times so far. 

Mallorca will want the second half to be a carbon copy of the first. It couldn't have gone much better for them (other than a goal or two). 

Back underway at the Bernabéu!

Real Madrid kick off the second half!

The players are on the way back out. Madrid have made Mallorca wait. 

Half time change for Mallorca

Van der Heyden, who was booked in the first 20 seconds and committed another foul just before half time, will be replaced by Toni Lato for the second half. A preventative measure if ever I've seen one. 

Vinícius - Maffeo battle continues

Some footage has done the rounds of Pablo Maffeo gesturing that Vinícius is a cry baby. The Brazilian may not have seen that, as the pair, who have been involved in a number of altercations in recent meetings, were also seen hugging after one such "disagreement". 

An unexpected plot twist. 

Joint leaders Girona play later on Wednesday

Real Madrid will want to win this, obviously, but especially because joint leaders Girona are also in action on Wednesday. They face third-placed Atlético Madrid at Montilivi (kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT). Being knocked off top spot on 3 January would not be a good way to start the new year. 

Half time: Real Madrid 0-0 Mallorca

Mallorca will be delighted with that. They’ve limited Madrid to very few efforts on goal and carried a threat on the counterattack. And they have had arguably the two nearest misses, with Sánchez’s header coming back off the bar and Larin bouncing an volley wide with almost the last kick of the half.

Vinícius has looked rusty but his still been the hosts' brightest spark, having one effort flicked wide by the boot of Rajkovic, who made another solid stop from the Brazilian’s shot from the edge of the box.

Los Blancos have enjoyed plenty of possession but have struggled to break down a resolute defence. Javier Aguirre and his team will be looking for more of the same after half. 

And that's half time!

Lunin has been booked for his protests, but he's got to be stronger there. Samu never touched him.

Larin bobbles an effort just wide from six yards! Madrid was claiming for a foul on Lunin, who couldn't get over Samu to the ball. 

I spoke too soon! Another Mallorca corner. 

Rodríguez's corner is headed away and that might be that for the first half. 

A strong end to the half from the visitors as Samu wins a corner. 

Two extra minutes to be played. 

Rüdiger was eyeing up Modric's delivery but Mallorca just manage to get it away in the nick of time!

A free-kick at the other end for Madrid after some nonsense involving Vini, Carvajal and Maffeo. 

No, it didn't go over...

So close!

Mallorca millimetres away from the opener!

Did that not go over the line? Sánchez gets his head to a cross at the back post, it comes off the underside of the bar and down, and into Lunin's hands! 

Pass after pass after pass after pass ends with a García cross to the back post which is nowhere near anyone in a white jersery. 

Vinícius denied by Rajkovic!

Brilliant from the Brazilian! He nutmegs Samu on the edge of the box and fizzes one goalwards, which Rajkovic does well to beat away!

Rodrygo is back on, by the way, and has been booked for complaining about Vini not getting a free kick. 

Big chance wasted for Mallorca! Larin gets to the goal line and looks to pick out Sánchez at the back post. But he overhits his cross and the chance has gone. 

I didn't think I'd be typing this at any point, but Andriy Lunin has just picked out Fede Valverde with a brilliant drilled pass over the top of the Mallorca defence. It led to nothing, other than a round of applause from Carlo Ancelotti. 

I think the Brazilian attacker landed awkwardly on his shoulder. Madrid's medical staff are applying some magic spray. 

Uh, oh. Rodrygo is down. This doesn't look great, although it seemed quite innocuous. 

Vini is next to threaten, feinting to shoot once, twice, three times before dragging one well, well wide. 

There's definitely some rustiness out there...

Vinícius dinks a lovely ball into the box for Rodrygo, who completely misses the ball as he looks to control it. 

Modric threads a beautiful pass through enemy lines for Rodrygo, who we've hardly seen, but the Brazilian is next to have a shot well blocked by the Mallorca defence. 

Carvajal and Valverde almost work a shooting opportunity on the right but the latter just loses his footing slightly as he breaks into the box and the chance has gone. 

Patient build-up from Madrid ends with Fran García trying an ambitious one from 30 yards, which is blocked after about five. 

Danger from Mallorca! Carvajal almost plays the perfect through ball for Larin but gets just enough on it to reach Lunin. The second wave of attack sees Sánchez get in behind on the left and the Ukrainian gets down well to cut out his low cross-cum-shot. 

Inches wide from Vinícius!

So close to the opener! Modric's pass to Bellingham is snuffed out but the ball falls back to the Croat, whose next pass picks out Vinícius. On the angle, the Brazilian shoots low and Rajkovic touches it round the post!

Another chance for Larin to get in behind but Rodríguez's pass is overhit and runs through to Lunin. That pass for the Canadian looks to be on though...

"Interesting" defending from Rüdiger and Lunin, as the German takes the ball past his own goalkeeper and clears under pressure from Larin, who looks as if he'll chase everything vaguely in his direction. 

A LOVELY spin from Valverde threatens to get him into "Valverde territory" but instead of shooting from range, he tries to pick out Modric, who is crowded out. 

After a fairly even start, Madrid have begun controlling possession, as expected, and have to break down a deep defensive line. 

The first sore one taken by Vinícius as González clatters into him. Probably not the last one, let's be honest. 

Bellingham header saved!

Modric drinks a nice cross in from the right to Bellingham, whose header is comfortably saved by Rajkovic. 

Shock, horror. Cleared at the near post. 

Here's a corner for Real Madrid. The big build-up always works...

Vinícius' quick recovery

Just on Vinícius, by the way, he was supposed to be out for two and a half months but is back after a little more than a month and a half. 

Some lovely touches from Bellingham on the edge of the Mallorca box but is attempted through ball for Carvajal is far too heavy and runs behind. 

Lunin races out to deny Larin!

What did I tell you?! Lunin has to look sharp to race off his line to stop Larin from going clean through on goal. Again, very easy for Mallorca to get in behind there. 

Absolutely nothing in the way of goalmouth action as yet. But it's coming, I can feel it!

And Kroos has just launched a cross-field pass out of play. A little bit of rustiness all round, so far. 

The German looks set to play on for now. Let's see. 

Kroos looks to have taken a knock in midfield. 2023 was the year of the injury, is 2024 starting in the same way?

Rodríguez gets in behind very easily for the visitors but his attempted cross is cut out by Tchouaméni. 

A first chance for Vinícius to get away down the left but his touch is loose and Mallorca get it away easily. We'll let him off. 

I covered Real Madrid's last game against Alavés and it looked as if Luka Modric was already thinking about his Christmas dinner. He's started this game with some lovely touches, though. 

Van der Heyden is the man booked for catching Carvajal with an elbow as he jumped for a high ball. Ouch. 

15 seconds in and there's a yellow card out...

Underway at the Bernabéu!

Mallorca get the ball rolling!

Ready? Let's go!

Bellingham is, in theory, starting on the "left" of the Real Madrid midfield. Let's see how far left he starts (probably not very) and how often he ends up in the centre (probably very). 

No matter who you support, "Hala Madrid" is quite a spine tingler as the players come out. Especially at the decibels it's played at. 

The teams are on the way out...who've you got for this one? It's hard to go against Real Madrid, isn't it...?

REAL MADRID

Why isn’t Nacho playing for Real Madrid against Mallorca in LaLiga?

In case you're wondering why midfielderAurélien Tchouaméni is lining up in central defence for Real Madrid against Mallorca, Nacho's unavailability is part of the reason. Here's more. 

Mallorca team to play Real Madrid

Canadian striker Cyle Larin, formerly of Orlando City, starts in attack for Mallorca, for line up with five at the back. 

Rajkovic; Maffeo, González, Raillo, Nastasic, Heyden; Sánchez, Morlanes, Samu, Rodríguez, Larin.

Real Madrid team to play Mallorca: Vinícius returns

Only a few minutes to go until kick-off! Here's the Real Madrid team to face Mallorca, with Vinícius starting on his return from injury. 

Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, García; Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Mallorca: last five games

21 December: Mallorca 3-2 Osasuna (LaLiga)

17 December: Almería 0-0 Mallorca (LaLiga)

9 December: Mallorca 1-0 Sevilla (LaLiga)

6 December: Valle Egüés 0-3 Mallorca (Copa del Rey)

3 December: Mallorca 0-0 Alavés (LaLiga)

Real Madrid: last five games

21 December: Alavés 0-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)

17 December: Real Madrid 4-1 Villarreal (LaLiga)

12 December: Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid (Champions League)

9 December: Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)

2 December: Real Madrid 2-0 Granada (LaLiga)

Bellingham back at the Bernabéu!

Someone's happy to be back. Real Madrid have scored 18 goals in their last five home matches, although only two have been by Bellingham. 

Mallorca in 2023-24: the season so far

Mallorca won 3-2 at home to Osasuna before the Christmas break, a big result which took them five points clear of the relegation zone. It's been a mixed big for the islanders, who failed to win between 17 September and 9 December but are now on a run of five games without defeat in LaLiga (six including Copa del Rey). Only two of their 18 LaLiga fixtures has been settled by a winning margin of more than one goal. 

Real Madrid in 2023-24: the season so far

Despite a spate of serious injuries, Real Madrid have been flying for most of 2023-24. 14 wins out of 18 in LaLiga, including a late Clásico victory over Barcelona in Catalonia. Los Blancos are unbeaten in 12 league games, with their only defeat coming to city rivals Atlético Madrid, their only true disappointing result of the season so far. The only surprise is that Girona have kept pace with them at the top. 

In the Champions League, they won all six of their group games to top their group, setting up a round-of-16 tie with RB Leipzig in February. 

Arda Güler could make first Real Madrid appearance!

Arda Güler been a star of Instagram and TikTok rather than the soccer field since moving to Real Madrid, but that could be about to change! The Turk has been the headliner of a number of viral videos thanks to his skills in training but injuries have stopped him from featuring for his "new" club. But he's on the bench to play Mallorca. A new year can only bring new luck for the teeneger. 

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham looking to repeat 2023 form

Most of us knew Jude Bellingham was a brilliant player, but you're never quite sure how anyone will adapt to moving to one of the world's biggest clubs. Like a duck to water for the England international, who could hardly have dreamt of making a better start. 13 goals in 16 LaLiga games and 17 in 21 in all competitions. And he's not even a forward...

Carlo Ancelotti extends Real Madrid contract

In case you missed it last week, Real Madrid revealed head coach Carlo Ancelotti had agreed a new contract with the club until 2026. Thought he was going to coach Brazil? So did Brazil. 

I've taken the liberty of sharing a couple of different pieces for a bit of pre-game reading, including one in which the Italian himself explains why he's opted to stay put. 

Visit Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu in 2024

I'm not introducing a competition to win tickets, rather advising you to get along to the Bernanéu if at all possible in 2024. A truly amazing place that any soccer fan should tick off the list, IMHO. 

Canada's Cyle Larin starts in attack for Mallorca

Another point of North American interest is that Canadian striker Cyle Larin leads the line for Mallorca at the Bernabeú. Prolific during his time in MLS with Orlando City, the 28-year-old has scored just once in 17 LaLiga games this season. There'd be no better place to add to that tally, though. 

Mexican Javier Aguirre in second full season as Mallorca coach

Mallorca are, of course, coached by Mexican míster Javier Aguirre, who took charge of the club in March 2022, kept them up and then finished ninth in his first full season last term. 

The former Club América and Chivas midfielder is now managing his sixth team in Spain, having also won the CONCACAF Champions League with Monterrey in 2021. 

Mallorca team to play Real Madrid

Mallorca appear to be going with safety numbers in a five-man defence, which includes right-back Pablo Maffeo, who has hand some "interesting" battles with Vinícius in previous games. One to keep an eye on. 

Rajkovic; Maffeo, González, Raillo, Nastasic, Heyden; Sánchez, Morlanes, Samu, Rodríguez, Larin.

Mallorca: no cream for Bernabéu dream?

I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of cream, Nivea or otherwise, in the Mallorca dressing room, but there's certainly none in shot. That could make all the difference. 

Real Madrid dressing room looks good, smells better

Soccer is all about marginal gains. Could that Nivea cream (other brands are available) be the confidence booster Real Madrid players need to perform out on the field? If you smell good, you play better, right? 

Aurélien Tchouaméni starts in central defence with Rüdiger

So, with only one senior central defender available, what on earth does Carlo Ancelotti do? Well, luckily there's another member of his roster who just absolutely loves filling it at centre-back...(that's sarcasm, by the way). 

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has openly said he pretty much hates playing in central defence but he's prepared to take one for them team against Mallorca. Hurry back, Nacho. 

Nacho suspended after red card in Alavés victory

With Alaba and Militão injured, Carlo Ancelotti will only be able to call upon Antonio Rüdiger in central defence, as Nacho starts the year by serving a one-match suspension. The Madrid club captain was sent off in the narrow victory over Alavés on 21 December, receiving a straight red card (after a VAR check) for trodding on Samu Omorodion’s heel.

That's right, Jose Ignacio, hang that head in shame. 

Alaba, Camavinga, Courtois and Militão are Real Madrid's injury absentees

So, Vinícius is back and Arda Güler could FINALLY be seen in a white shirt (he's on the bench). 

But David Alaba isn't expected to play again until 2024-25 because of an ACL tear, while Eder Militão and Thibaut Courtois face another few months out of action with similar injuries. 

Eduardo Camavinga should at least be back sometime this month after his own knee problems. 

Vinícius' tour of the United States and NBA venues

Not that our man Vini has been out of the limelight. Far from it. He's been on his own personal mini-tour of the United States and NBA venues, during which time he's inked up (again) big time, with Pelé and Kobe Bryant among those who are set to be a part of him forever. He also got a late Christmas gift from none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also called the winger "the number one Brazilian player in the world", which would've been significantly more complimentary if he'd just not said "Brazilian".  

What injury did Real Madrid winger Vinícius have?

We knew there was a good chance Vinícius would be involved against Mallorca, but we didn't necessarily think he was going to start. The winger tore a muscle in his hamstring playing for Brazil against Colombia in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier back on 17 November. After missing seven games (five in LaLiga and two in the Champions League), the 23-year-old is back.

Watch out defences in Spain and beyond. 

How the LaLiga table looks: Mallorca

Not quite as pretty for Mallorca, I’m not going to lie. They’ve finished 16th and ninth in their last two seasons in the Spanish top flight, and they’re somewhere in the middle as it stands. They’re five points clear of the relegation zone and will be looking up the table as well as down, although they’re unlikely to have an easy time of things at the Bernabéu.

How the LaLiga table looks: Real Madrid

A quick glance at the standings suggests Real Madrid are sitting pretty, top of the pile, seven points clear of arch rivals Barcelona. But what’s this? They are on the same number of points as…Girona? Do not adjust your screens, the “other” Catalans have had a superb start to the campaign and host third-placed Atlético Madrid later on Wednesday.

Barça, meanwhile, are in action tomorrow (Thursday) away to Las Palmas. We’ll also have live coverage of that one for you on AS USA. Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT.

Real Madrid team to play Mallorca: Vinícius returns from injury

As is always the case, Carlo Ancelotti has named his team ridiculously early (compared to anyone else), so here goes:

Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, García; Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Vinícius' first game back after injury and he's thrown straight in at the deep end!

What time does Real Madrid - Mallorca kick off?

We’ll all have to wait just a little though, as the clash in Madrid gets underway at 7:15 p.m. local time, which is 1:15 p.m. ET and 10:15 a.m. PT. Let’s hope you managed to get some extended time off over New Year (HNY, by the way!).

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Real Madrid - Mallorca!

It’s only been 13 days but it’s felt like a lifetime. Real Madrid are in action for the first time in 2024, a little under two weeks since they somehow snatched victory from the jaws of a draw away to Alavés on a cold pre-Christmas night in the Basque Country.

Los Blancos are back at the Bernabéu for a home LaLiga clash against Mallorca. Will the Balearic Islanders be in the wrong place at the wrong time with Vinícius Júnior making his injury return?

I’m Roddy and we’ll find out soon enough! Thanks for joining me!