Madrid Stages VAR-Fuelled Comeback Against Struggling Mallorca

Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 75/100. In a match where the video assistant referee proved as decisive as the players on the pitch, Real Madrid underlined their title credentials with a dramatic comeback win over a Mallorca fighting for survival.

VAR Chaos Sets the Stage

From the seventh minute, VAR became the story. Kylian Mbappé's goal was ruled out—a call that ramped up the Intensity at the Bernabéu. Mallorca capitalized on the confusion: P. Torre's assist found V. Muriqi in the 18th minute for a shock lead (0-1). Madrid's response was ice-cold. Arda Güler levelled in the 37th, and Vinicius Junior completed the turnaround just 60 seconds later with F. Valverde's assist. The Balance shifted in 120 seconds.

Three Lead Changes Define the Drama

D. Huijsen orchestrated Madrid's defensive structure, while Trent Alexander-Arnold anchored the backline with world-class composure. VAR struck again in the 57th minute, denying Güler another goal—a moment that underscored the Stakes of this encounter. With 26 combined shots and 12 on target, both sides left everything on the pitch. Madrid's 58% possession allowed them to control the tempo; Mallorca's desperation from the relegation zone never wavered.

What This Means

For Madrid (three wins, top of the table with 9 points), this was a character test: winning when everything goes wrong. For Mallorca (18th place, just 1 point), each defeat deepens the crisis. This result cemented Madrid's position and exposed Mallorca's fragility.