- Real Madrid defeated Mallorca 1-0 thanks to Antonio Rüdiger's header in the second half
- It came after Brahim Diaz missed a header from point-blank range on Wednesday
- We have nonsense in our game now… the referee's decision should be final. Listen to It all starts
Antonio Rudiger's second-half goal spared Brahim Diaz's blushes as Real Madrid beat Mallorca 1-0 at home on Wednesday, extending their unbeaten league run to 13 games.
Rudiger broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when he took advantage of sloppy defending from Luka Modric's corner to fire a header into the top corner and score his first goal of the season.
It came minutes after Diaz appeared to be going to grab a rebound from point-blank range after Rodrygo's shot was saved, but his header miraculously hit the inside of the post before bobbing dangerously over the goal line to safety.
The win lifted Real to 48 points, three ahead of surprise package Girona, who host third-placed Atletico Madrid later on Wednesday.
“Great cross from Luka, great block from (Dani) Carvajal and luckily it went in,” Rudiger told reporters.
Real Madrid defeated Mallorca 1-0 at home thanks to Antonio Rüdiger's header in the second half
Rudiger scored his first LaLiga goal since scoring against the same opponents in 2022
It came after Brahim Diaz (No. 21) missed a header from point-blank range on Wednesday
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'I'm happy because it was an important goal and three important points for us. This team has something special, a good mix of young and old talent.'
Mallorca had put in a resilient defensive performance and came close to shocking Real with two tries hitting the woodwork.
Vinicius Jr. was also close to scoring when he returned to action after being sidelined with an injury, but Mallorca keeper Predrag Rajkovic made a great save to deny the Brazilian in the first half.
“It's always a difficult match when you come back from holiday,” Real defender Carvajal told Real Madrid TV.
'Mallorca played a tactically very good match, very aggressive in defence. The set piece gave us the victory.'
Jude Bellingham also played a role in the victory, which saw Real retain their place at the top of LaLiga
'We end the first half of the season as a possible leader, 48 points is a lot. We will try to outdo them in the second half.”
Real next visit fifth-tier Arandina in the first round of the Spanish Cup, before taking on Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup.