
Real Madrid beats Mallorca 2-1 in stoppage time, delays Barcelona's title win
MADRID: It was a matter of pride for Real Madrid. There is little hope of winning the Spanish league. But the last thing it wanted to do was hand Barcelona the title in advance. And it needed a goal deep into stoppage time to achieve its objective on Wednesday.
Jacobo Ramón scored five minutes into injury time and Madrid rallied to beat Mallorca 2-1 and delay Barcelona's title celebrations.
Madrid needed the victory to keep Barcelona from clinching its 28th league title in advance. The Catalan club remains four points ahead and can still lift the trophy with a win at city rival Espanyol on Thursday.
Mallorca took the lead on Wednesday with a goal by Martin Valjent in the 11th minute and stayed ahead until Kylian Mbappé beat a couple of defenders to equalise in the 68th.
Ramón netted the go-ahead go from inside the area five minutes into injury time to keep Barcelona from winning the title.
Mbappé is still in the race to be the league's leading scorer and reached 28 goals, three more than Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski.
Mbappé had a hat trick in Madrid's loss to Barcelona on Sunday, when the Catalan club virtually secured the title by coming from behind to win 4-3 in the last clasico of the season.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Carlos Alcaraz reaches French Open final after Lorenzo Musetti retires with injury
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached back-to-back French Open finals after Italian eighth seed Lorenzo Musetti retired with injury while trailing 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0 on Friday. Alcaraz, who is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten, will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final. "It's never great to go through like this," Alcaraz said, before hailing Musetti's achievement of reaching at least the semi-finals of all four elite claycourt events this year. "He's a great player, he has had an incredible claycourt season ... I wish him a speedy recovery and I'm sure we'll be enjoying his tennis pretty soon." Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game. A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti's dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to dish out a bagel in the third set. Musetti, who appeared to be hampered by a left thigh issue midway through the third set, threw in the towel after two games in the fourth. "The first two sets were tough. I had chances to be up in the match but couldn't make the most of them," Alcaraz added. "When I won the second set, I was relieved and I knew that I needed to be aggressive and be myself. I was calmer. I could see clearer and I could play great tennis at the start of the third. "I'm feeling great physically. It's been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I'm playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I've been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100% in the final." Alcaraz said he would tune into the second semi-final on Court Philippe Chatrier to study his potential opponents. "I'm not going to miss tonight's match, it's one of the best we can have right now, Sinner against Djokovic," he said. 'I'm going to watch it and enjoy it and take tactics from the match.'


India Today
11 hours ago
- India Today
Barcelona's Raphinha named LaLiga player of the season
FC Barcelona's Raphinha has been named the player of the season. Raphinha played an important part in Barcelona's revival in the 2024-25 season, where they won the domestic treble by outclassing Real Madrid throughout the season award is the third one for Barcelona this season in the LaLiga itself. Apart from him Hansi Flick and Lamine Yamal have been named the best coach of the year and the best U23 player of the year respectively this has taken his game to a new level this season, and the numbers speak for themselves. After scoring seven goals in his debut LaLiga campaign with Barcelona in 2022/23 and six the following season, the Brazilian winger has exploded with 18 goals in 36 appearances this term—tripling last season's tally and underlining his growing importance in Barca's attack. While known for his goalscoring ability as a wide forward, Raphinha has also been a major creative force. Alongside his 18 goals, he has provided 11 assists, the second-highest in LaLiga this season, trailing only teammate Lamine Yamal, who recorded built a superb partnership with the Barcelona strikers this season. Raphinha was deployed as a No.10, wide attacker on the left side, second striker by the manager this season. His favoured place was the No.10, but he was not able to operate in that area due to the availability of Dani Olmo in several gamesHis standout performances and impressive stats highlight just how crucial he has been for Barcelona, making him a deserving recipient of the LaLiga Player of the Season award. The number 11 has truly been one of the league's brightest stars this year.

The Hindu
12 hours ago
- The Hindu
Barcelona's Raphinha named La Liga Player of the Season, Yamal named best U-23 player
Barcelona winger Raphinha was named La Liga Player of the Season on Friday, after the Brazilian played a major role in his side winning the domestic treble, with club teammate Lamine Yamal named Best Under-23 player. Raphinha contributed 34 goals and 25 assists in 57 club games across all competitions, with Barca winning the league title, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. The 28-year-old signed for Barcelona in 2022 from Leeds United and recently signed a contract extension keeping him at the Spanish club until 2028. ALSO READ: Beckham to be awarded knighthood by King Charles- reports Raphinha scored a late goal to put Barcelona ahead in the Champions League semifinal second leg against Inter Milan, only for the Italians to level in stoppage time and net an extra-time winner. That was Raphinha's 13th goal in 14 games of this season's competition. Yamal, still only 17, confirmed his status as one of the world's top talents after last season's breakthrough campaign, with the winger netting nine league goals along with five in the Champions League.