Jacobo Ramon struck deep into stoppage time to secure a dramatic 2–1 comeback win for Real Madrid against Mallorca, keeping Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations on ice—for now.
Madrid needed all three points on Wednesday night to prevent their arch-rivals from clinching a 28th league title without kicking another ball. Barcelona remain four points clear and can still seal the championship with a win over city rivals Espanyol on Thursday.
Mallorca stunned the Santiago Bernabéu early on, taking the lead in the 11th minute through Martin Valjent. The visitors held firm until the 68th minute, when Kylian Mbappé produced a moment of brilliance, weaving past defenders before slotting home the equaliser.
The stage was then set for Ramon, who popped up inside the area five minutes into added time to lash in the winner—keeping Madrid mathematically in the title race and momentarily spoiling Barça’s party.
Mbappé remains firmly in the hunt for the league’s Golden Boot. The Frenchman entered the match with 27 goals—two ahead of Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski—and had scored a hat-trick in Madrid’s 4–3 defeat to Barcelona in the previous El Clásico.
Despite their win, Madrid’s recent record against Barcelona casts a long shadow. Sunday’s loss marked their fourth defeat to Barça this season, with an aggregate scoreline of 16–7. It’s the first time the Catalans have won every Clásico in a campaign featuring at least three encounters.
Meanwhile, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti received a muted reception from fans following his appointment as Brazil’s next head coach. Announced on Monday, the news drew criticism from some sections of the Madrid faithful, who felt the timing was inappropriate with the league still undecided.
Yet, at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, there were no significant jeers or applause. Ancelotti’s name was read out with the usual formality, and the crowd largely stuck to tradition—voicing neither outrage nor overwhelming support.