RCD Mallorca claimed a dramatic 2-1 La Liga victory over Real Madrid at Son Moix on April 4, with Vedat Muriqi's injury-time strike—his 19th of the season—securing the points after Éder Militão's late equalizer. The result boosts Mallorca's survival bid, dents Madrid's title hopes (now trailing Barcelona by seven points with eight games left), and prompts coach Álvaro Arbeloa to take blame for key decisions.
Manu Morlanes opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, finishing Pablo Maffeo's pullback amid a Madrid defensive lapse, despite Mallorca keeper Leo Román's strong first-half saves against Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler. Real Madrid dominated possession but struggled to convert.
Álvaro Arbeloa introduced key substitutes in the second half, including Vinícius Júnior (60th minute), Jude Bellingham, and Militão (returning from four-month hamstring injury). Militão leveled at 1-1 in the 88th minute with a header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner. However, in the first of five added minutes, Muriqi controlled and fired home a right-footed winner assisted by Mateo Joseph, sparking wild celebrations after his recent penalty miss and Kosovo's World Cup playoff exit.
Arbeloa shouldered full responsibility: 'Absolutely mine,' regretting the late Vinícius introduction and lamenting a lack of 'energy, clarity of ideas, patience,' and wide one-on-ones. He urged focus on Tuesday's Champions League quarterfinal first leg vs. Bayern Munich at Santiago Bernabéu, insisting the loss won't impact mentality. The defeat caps Madrid's erratic month amid injuries to Mbappé and Bellingham.
Mallorca, under Martín Demichelis, climb out of the relegation zone with these vital points, while Barcelona's win at Atlético Madrid extends their lead.
