Home Football Mbappé’s Spanish League Debut Ends in Draw: Real Madrid Held to 1-1 Tie at Mallorca

Mbappé’s Spanish League Debut Ends in Draw: Real Madrid Held to 1-1 Tie at Mallorca

Football — 08/19/2024

Mbappé didn’t score on his first game in the Spanish league, as Real Madrid and Mallorca tied 1-1.

As Kylian Mbappé played his first Spanish league game on Sunday, Real Madrid couldn’t get past a 1-1 draw at Mallorca. They are the defending champions.

Mbappe didn’t score in his second game with Madrid after making his start last week. The great French player scored in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.

Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Mbappé were in the atck for Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team, which was the same one that bat Atalanta.

Ancelotti said of Vinicius and Mbappé, “They switch places every once in a while.” It’s not always planned, but Mbappé plays more centrally and one of the two has to play on this side. It relies on how they feel.”

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

In the 13th minute, Rodrygo put Madrid ahead against Mallorca. However, Vedat Muriqi scored for Mallorca to tie the game in the 53rd minute.

Real Madrid's Rodrygo walks back as Mallorca players celebrate after Vedat Muriqi scored his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

“We got off to a good start, taking the lead and then had a chance to get the second goal,” he said. “In the second half, we couldn’t stay even. We could have lost because the back wasn’t stable. The game wasn’t fun. We need to be stronger in defense. Even though we like to ack, defense balance is very important.

In the last few seconds of the second half, Ferland Mendy was sent off for a hard hit on Muriqi.

Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi, left, runs past Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal, left and Vinicius Junior while celebrating after scoring his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

“I don´t want to make excuses for anything, but we just need to do better and with a better attitude,” he said. “This game can teach us a lot.” It’s pretty clear where our problems could come from.

Rafael Nadal, who is from the island of Mallorca, was at the Son Moix Stadium to watch the game.

Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

The players from Mallorca formed a guard of honor for the Super Cup winners and cheered for the Madrid team as they walked onto the field before the game started.

Real Sociedad, who came in sixth place last year, lost 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano, who was hting to stay in the league last year.

Real Madrid's Eder Militao reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello scored goals in the second half to put Rayo ahead. Sociedad’s only goal came late in the game, from Martín Zubimendi.

Robert Lewandowski scored twice to help Barcelona at Valencia 2-1 on Saturday, which was the first game as coach Hansi Flick´s in the Spanish league.

On Monday, Atletico Madrid goes to Villarreal.