Real Madrid 1-0 Mallorca: Antonio Rudiger late header seals the deal for Los Blancos; levels with Girona at the top

Real Madrid hand Mallorca a painstaking defeat as a late Antonio Rudiger header spoiled their dream of snatching a point from Bernabeu at the start of this year. With this victory, Real Madrid cement their position at the top of the table, having same points with Girona, who snatch a dramatic 4-3 victory against Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid continues winning run

Real Madrid started 2024 with a bang as a late winner sealed the deal for Carlo Ancelotti’s brigade, as they have extended their winning streak. But, Los Blancos would have wanted to win the game in the easiest way possible, but were unable to get past the sturdy defensive line from Mallorca, which had kept Madrid attackers at bay. With Girona breathing on their neck, Ancelotti had gone full throttle with his side, naming his strongest eleven possible, with a 4-2-2-2 formation, having Rodrygo and Vinicius on the front, followed by Real’s latest poster boy Jude Bellingham, who has already set his eyes on the Pichichi award by scoring 13 goals, and Valverde. Seasoned midfielders Kroos and Modric lined-up next to them, followed by veteran defenders Carvajal, Tchouameni, Rudiger and Garcia, as Ancelotti aimed to secure all three points with this team. Mallorca started with a defense-heavy approach of 5-4-1, with Larin the sole striker.

Rudiger goal makes the difference

This victory was the first since Ancelotti extended his deal with the Spanish heavyweights brushing aside any rumors of coaching the Brazil National Team. Vinicius’ return to the field bolstered their attack, as the Brazilian maestro was playing his first game since suffering a hamstring knock back in November. But, unfortunately, he would have to wait for the next game as his efforts were thwarted away twice by Mallorca custodian Rajkovic, who appeared to be the stand-out player from the visiting side.

But, on the other hand, Mallorca aimed for a shock upset against the La Liga leaders, but their fate seemed to have turned out sour, as they hit the framework twice. Several efforts from the hosts seemed to have parried away when Bellingham, their superstar headed a ball straight into the hands of Rajkovic. But, Rodrygo decided to take matters in his own hands when his effort fell before Brahim Diaz, but the substitute star’s headed effort was met with an unguarded goal, which he parried away, thus wasting the opportunity to give a lead.

Both teams wrestled against each other, leaving no space for the other. But, as they say, Real Madrid has been a beast at home this season. Antonio Rudiger, the former Chelsea defender decided to maintain that streak, as he nodded in a perfect header with few minutes remaining on the clock.

It was a Luka Modric corner which sent Real fans frenzy over a possible winner. The Croatian legend’s fine corner from the left wing was headed perfectly by the big German, who scored the winner, thus getting back on the score sheet after more than a year, last scoring in Real’s 4-1 victory over Mallorca, which proved to be a coincidence, yet again.

With this win, Real briefly remained at the top, after Girona smashed an injury-time winner to edge past Atletico Madrid, as Morata’s hattrick went in vain. Real and Girona are eyeing a two-way race at the top, having 48 points from 19 games.