Román and Muriqi rescue Mallorca from Atlético's grip
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 57/100. A match of extreme intensity where Atlético's dominance evaporated after Sórloth's red card in the 72nd minute, but it was Mallorca's heroism in the final moments that defined this crunch La Liga encounter.
Atlético controls, then the red card changes everything
Atlético Madrid arrived at Son Moix intent on suffocation. With 57% possession and 12 total shots, the Madrid side wove an asphyxiating web. Koke orchestrated from midfield with two key passes, while Conor Gallagher entered as a substitute in the 68th minute to break lines. Gallagher's 79th-minute goal seemed to settle the contest. But then came the turning point: in the 72nd minute, Alexander Sórloth received a red card following VAR review for a tactical foul. Suddenly, Atlético played with ten men against a Mallorca that smelled blood.
Román stops the impossible, Muriqi rescues pride
With the stakes of the run in play, Leo Román became Mallorca's wall. The home goalkeeper made 6 crucial saves, but the most decisive came when he stopped a penalty with golden hands. His performance (9.5 rating) was the lifeline that kept a team generating barely any chances alive. With 43% possession and just 8 shots, the locals seemed condemned to shipwreck. Then, in the 85th minute, when all appeared lost, Vedat Muriqi burst through to seal the draw. Jan Virgili, fresh off the bench in the 82nd minute, supplied the Kosovan striker with a surgical pass. The goal arrived as Atlético crumbled under the weight of Sórloth's dismissal.
The balance nobody expected
The sequence of lead changes (2 total) defines this encounter. Atlético controlled, but the 72nd-minute red shattered their dominance. Mallorca, languishing in 19th place with just 2 points from 5 matches, rescued a point that tastes like victory. Atlético's xG (2.26) versus Mallorca's (0.60) tells the story: Madrid deserved more, but football doesn't always reward the dominant. With this run of results, Atlético continues searching for rhythm (1 win, 3 draws from 5 games), while Mallorca at least halts its freefall.
Key Questions
How did Sórloth's red card impact the match?
It transformed the contest entirely. Atlético controlled 2-0, but with ten men from the 72nd minute, Mallorca found space. Muriqi equalized in the 85th exploiting numerical superiority.
What made Román the standout performer?
Six saves, one penalty stop. Román kept Mallorca alive when Atlético fired 12 shots. His 9.5 rating reflects heroic shot-stopping when it mattered most.
Did Mallorca deserve the draw?
On merit, no. Atlético dominated (xG 2.26 vs 0.60). But Muriqi capitalized on post-red chaos. Points snatched, not earned.
Why is this match rated 57/100?
Our Futmetrix algorithm analyzed intensity, balance, and stakes. The final score of 57/100 places this match in the "Worth Watching" category.
