Mallorca's Muriqi stuns Real Madrid with late winner in crucial relegation battle
Vedat Muriqi scored a spectacular 91st-minute winner to give RCD Mallorca a vital 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Visit Mallorca Estadi on Saturday. The Kosovan striker's stunning strike, curled into the top corner, secured three points that lifted his team out of the La Liga relegation zone and dealt a significant blow to Madrid's title hopes.
Manu Morlanes had given the home side the lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a counter-attack to beat Andriy Lunin. Real Madrid, fielding a rotated side ahead of their Champions League commitments, struggled to break down a resilient Mallorca defense for much of the match. They appeared to have salvaged a point when defender Eder Militão, making his return from a long-term knee injury, powered in a header with two minutes of regular time remaining.
Muriqi, however, had the final say in added time. According to match reports, the 29-year-old captain collected the ball on the edge of the area and unleashed a precise right-footed shot that gave Lunin no chance. The victory, masterminded by manager Martín Demichelis who took charge in February, moves Mallorca two points clear of the bottom three. For Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid, the defeat leaves them waiting on other results, potentially falling seven points behind leaders Barcelona.
The result underscores the contrasting objectives for the two clubs at this stage of the season. Mallorca's primary focus is a desperate fight for survival, making this victory one of their most important of the campaign. Muriqi's moment of quality provided the decisive contribution, highlighting his continued importance as the team's focal point in attack. For Real Madrid, the loss in Palma de Mallorca represents a major setback in their pursuit of the domestic title, especially after fielding a squad missing several key starters.
Muriqi's match-winning performance is sure to attract attention as the summer transfer window approaches. The powerful forward has been a consistent performer for Mallorca since joining from Lazio in 2022, offering a reliable physical presence and goal threat. His current contract runs until 2026, and while no formal transfer rumors are active from the source material, performances of this caliber naturally put players on the radar of larger clubs. Mallorca will be desperate to retain their captain if they are to maintain their top-flight status, making his future intrinsically linked to the club's fate in the final weeks of the season.
The implications of this result are immediate for both sides. Mallorca gains crucial momentum and a psychological boost in their survival bid, while Real Madrid must now rely on favours from others in the title race. Muriqi’s heroics have not only provided three points but have also reinforced his status as a player capable of deciding high-pressure matches, a quality that always holds significant value in the transfer market.
