Antonio Rudiger secured a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid against Real Mallorca with a crucial late goal from a corner kick, propelling them to a provisional three-point lead at the top of La Liga.
Despite Mallorca hitting the woodwork twice, Madrid struggled to break through until Rudiger’s decisive goal. The return of Vinicius Junior from injury provided some much-needed firepower, but Madrid’s coach Carlo Ancelotti attributed the win to their effectiveness from set pieces.
With an unbeaten streak of 18 matches across all competitions, Madrid’s defensive lineup saw the inclusion of midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni alongside Rudiger due to injuries and suspensions.
While Madrid’s top goalscorer, Jude Bellingham, had a chance early on, it was Mallorca who came closest to scoring in the first half, hitting the crossbar.
After Vinicius was substituted, his replacement Brahim Diaz had an opportunity to extend the lead but was denied by a sensational save.
Ultimately, Rudiger’s header secured the vital three points for Madrid. The win puts them in a strong position at the top of the table, ahead of Girona’s clash with Atletico Madrid.