Real Mallorca travelled to Real Madrid on Saturday knowing that three points would have moved them out of the relegation zone in La Liga.
It was the away side that took the lead early on when Emilio Nsue headed home from close range, but Gonzalo Higuain levelled the scores after 15 minutes.
Mallorca were ahead once more six minutes later, however, when Alejandro Alfaro headed a Giovani dos Santos corner into the back of the net.
Three goals in five second-half minutes turned the match in Madrid's favour, however, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and Higuain moving the home side into a 4-2 lead.
There was also time for Karim Benzema to get among the goals in the latter stages as he finished from close range following good work from Higuain.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Well, it could not have gone much better for Real Madrid in recent weeks. They have had a disappointing league season, but they have advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with victory over Manchester United and also into the final of the Copa del Rey with a 3-1 win over Barcelona.
It is a case of too little too late in terms of the league, despite overcoming Barcelona at the beginning of the month, but they have managed to move above rivals Atletico Madrid into second. I am sure that the supporters will forgive the title this season if Jose Mourinho secures the Champions League and the Copa del Rey.
Mallorca, however, will provide stern opposition. They remain in 18th position in the table, but have won their last two to move within two points of safety. That said, they have struggled on the road this season with just two wins from their 14 matches, while Real Madrid have won 11 of their 13 in this stadium.
TEAMS:
REAL MADRID: Lopez; Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Coentrao; Pepe, Kaka, Modric; Ronaldo, Higuain, Morata
MALLORCA: Aouate; Hutton, Nunes, Kevin, Bigas; Tissone, Pina, Victor, Alfaro; Giovani, Nsue
Here we go then. Just a quick word on the team news. Alvaro Morata is handed a start in attack for the home side, while Pepe will start in midfield alongside Luka Modric and Kaka. Mallorca, meanwhile, once more pair Giovani dos Santos and Alfaro in attack, but Nsue also starts. The home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Madrid.
Confident start from the home side as they immediately gain control of the possession. A low cross comes into the box from Kaka, but Jose Nunes is on hand to make the clearance. You just get the feeling that Mallorca need to stay in the match in the early stages, or it could get really nasty really quickly.
Alfaro attempts to force the issue for Mallorca as he collects possession before driving into the Madrid half, but Ronaldo is back doing his defensive work. The Portuguese finds Kaka, who in turn fires another cross into the box, but Aouate is quickest to react. Giovani has a strike down the other end, but it was always moving over the crossbar.
A reminder that Mallorca are still in the relegation zone, but they have taken six points from their last two matches. Should they win this evening, they would move out of the bottom three. Tough ask. Morata is involved for Madrid as he floats a cross into the box, but it is too long for Higuain. All one-way traffic in the opening six minutes of action.
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 Mallorca (Nsue)
Mallorca lead! Incredible moment in this match as Nsue meets a cross from Giovani before thumping his header into the back of the net. The stadium has been stunned into absolute silence. For the neutral, that is the best thing that could have happened.
First sight of goal for Ronaldo as he picks up possession outside the box before striking towards the bottom corner, but Aouate was always comfortable in dealing with the danger. Giovani is again involved for Mallorca down the other end, but his cross is headed clear by Ramos. Mallorca just need to settle in the next five or so minutes.
Half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo meets a pass from Higuain before firing a low cross into the box, but Hutton just does enough to turn behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Kaka, but once more Kevin is on hand to clear the danger. You suspect that Mallorca will have to ride their luck if they are to take something from the match.
Nsue is involved for Mallorca once more as he collects a pass from Giovani before advancing on goal, but the linesman's flag is raised. Morata attempts to force the issue down the other end as he combines with Ronaldo before striking towards goal, but it was always rising over the crossbar. Enthralling opening 13 minutes to this match in the Spanish capital.
Madrid continue to dominate the possession, but there is no end product at the moment with Higuain seemingly taking up the space that Ronaldo usually occupies. Slight problem for Hutton here as he clashes with Arbeloa, but it does appear that the Scottish international will be fit to continue. Stunned silence in the Bernabeu with 15 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Mallorca (Higuain)
Well, that did not take long. Madrid level the scored as Pepe advances into the penalty area before finding Higuain, who simply cannot miss from close range. Poor defending from Mallorca. Meanwhile, Giovani appears to have a problem as he hits the deck under a challenge from Varane.
Another half-chance for the away side this time as Nsue meets a cross from Giovani, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Those two have certainly caused problems in the early stages of this match. The end-to-end period continues as Modric feeds Ronaldo, but once more the linesman raises his flag.
The opportunities continue to fall, this time for Madrid, as Modric fires a free kick into the box, but Nunes is on hand to make the clearance. The lively Giovani threatens down the other end with a mazy run, but once more Varane is across to clear the danger. One thing is for certain, Mallorca are more than in this match with 20 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-2 Mallorca (Alfaro)
Mallorca lead once more! Incredible scenes in Madrid as Alfaro meets a corner from Giovani before thumping his header into the back of the net. Two headers, two goals for the away side. What a sensational opening 22 minutes to this match. I suspect that we have not seen the last of the goals.
Pepe attempts to level the scores as he picks up possession outside the box before striking an effort towards the bottom corner, but it was always rising over the crossbar. Mallorca force a chance of their own with another cross into the box, but this time Ramos heads clear. End-to-end football in the Bernabeu.
Half-chance for the home side as Ronaldo bursts into the penalty area, but his effort is over the crossbar. No sign of either team dropping their tempo as each continues to commit players to each attack. Meanwhile, Ronaldo shows his frustration at losing possession by thumping the ground with his fist.
Constant pressure from Madrid in the last couple of moments with Ronaldo and Higuain both having efforts from distance, but neither can work the goalkeeper. Two corners follow in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Aouate before Pepe heads over the crossbar. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
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CROSSBAR! Glorious chance for the home side to level the scores as Higuain tees up Ronaldo, but the Portuguese can only thump his effort against the crossbar. The Madrid players are not happy at the moment as they continue to wave their arms around. Strange atmosphere inside the stadium, almost silent.
Madrid continue to force the issue with Coentrao and Arbeloa almost playing as wingers, but the final ball into the box is just not of the required standard. The former does manage to find Ronaldo moments later, but his header is straight at the goalkeeper. Mallorca just need to gain some sort of possession as they hold on with 33 minutes on the clock.
Kaka is involved for Madrid as he dances past two defenders before firing a low cross into the box, but Hutton is on hand to make the clearance. The resulting corner is fired into the penalty area by Modric, but Aouate comes to claim the danger, before finding Nsue in an advanced position. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
It isn't quite happening for Ronaldo at the moment as he once more loses possession, with his expression showing that of an angry man. A reminder that Mallorca have won each of their last two matches and as it stands, they would move out of the relegation zone. But there is still a lot of football to be played.
Another half-chance for the home side as Kaka strikes an effort from distance, but it is straight at the goalkeeper. Mallorca just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, but they are not having to deal with too much pressure. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining.
It's sloppy play from Tissone as the Argentine fells Ronaldo outside the box, picking up a yellow card for his troubles. Ronaldo takes the resulting free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall. It falls back to the Portuguese, but once more the wall does its job.
Little over one minute of the first period remaining and still Mallorca hold onto their lead. It almost gets better as Victor carries possession into the Madrid half, but Ramos is across to clear for a corner. Welcome respite for the away side's defence as Hutton heads just wide of Alves's post.
Another half-chance for the home side as Modric's free kick is met by Nunes, but luckily his backwards header just drops over the crossbar. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Real Madrid 1-2 Mallorca
Wow. What a first half it has been for Mallorca. They opened the scoring in the early stages, but you feared the worst when they were pegged back by Higuain. However, they scored once more through Alfaro to enter the break in the lead. It is delicately poised ahead of the second period.
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STATISTICS: Madrid have dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had seven attempts to Mallorca's six. In truth, the home side have certainly bossed proceedings, but their quality in the final third has been poor. Mallorca have taken the chances that have been presented to them.
BENCH WATCH: Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is not short of options on the bench with Karim Benzema, Mesut Ozil and Xabi Alonso just three players that could make a difference. Meanwhile, Mallorca have the likes of Tomer Hemed and Luna in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
As it stands, Madrid would remain second in the table, but would have the initiative back to Atletico Madrid in the race for second, with a win for Diego Simeone's side tomorrow moving them back above their capital rivals. Meanwhile, with the three points Mallorca would move out of the bottom three.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Never one to wait to make changes, Mourinho has introduced Benzema and Ozil at the interval in place of Arbeloa and Morata. No changes for the away side. Madrid get the second period underway.
Defensive change for the home side with Ramos moving to right-back and Pepe moving into the middle of the defence. It has been a strong start from Mallorca, however, with Dos Santos once more causing problems. The Mexican has been just sensational in recent weeks. Can Mallorca hold onto the three points against a side that has lost just once in 2013?
Madrid will have 17 players on international duty over the next week or so, which has understandably disappointed Mourinho, who has a Champions League quarter-final to prepare for. First attack for Madrid in the second period involves Ronaldo, but it breaks down before Bigas fires over the crossbar from close range down the other end.
Mallorca are just playing with such confidence at the moment as they continue to stroke the ball around in midfield, but you just get the feeling that they need another goal, because Madrid will improve there is no question about that. Coentrao whips a dangerous cross towards Benzema moments later, but Hutton clears the danger.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-2 Mallorca (Ronaldo)
Madrid level the scores in the early stages of the second period as Ronaldo meets a cross from Modric before thumping his header into the back of the net. That is his 27th league goal of the season. Stunning header from a stunning player. All square in Madrid.
This is exactly what Mallorca would have wanted to avoid. Suddenly the crowd is up as Madrid attack with pace and numbers. Another half-chance arrives as Kaka drives a cross into the box, but once more the impressive Hutton is on hand to clear. Massive 10 minutes or so coming up for both teams.
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GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Mallorca (Modric)
Wow! Madrid take the lead as Modric thumps an effort into the top corner from some 30 yards. It has taken some time for the Croatian to settle into this team, but he has scored some wonderful goals in recent weeks. Madrid turn this match around.
Well, that is more like it from the defending champions. The changes at the interval have just completely changed the course of this match. Mallorca really need to hang in this match for the next 10 minutes or so, because another goal at this stage and it could get really nasty, really quickly.
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-2 Mallorca (Higuain)
Mallorca are not entirely sure what has hit them in this match. Three goals in five minutes have changed this match. Wonderful work from Ozil as the German darts into the box before squaring for Higuain, who taps home from close range.
Mallorca have just been utterly stunned in this second period. They started positively, but have been undone by the wealth of attacking options available to the home side. If they can score another, they will be right back in this match. They have to keep believing with 30 minutes of football remaining.
Real party atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as the supporters continue to raise their voices in the Spanish capital. Atletico would have been delighted at the interval, but Madrid will strengthen their grip on second with three points this evening. Mallorca just cannot get out at the moment as they continue to camp in their own penalty area.
Madrid make their third and final change of the match as Alonso replaces Kaka. Not a bad change to make. I would be astounded if there were not more goals in the final stages. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Valencia against Real Betis. I have a feeling that one could be a cracker.
Half-chance for Mallorca to get right back in this match as Giovani stands over a free kick outside the penalty area, but he can only strike his effort straight into the wall. It moves out for a corner, but Pepe is on hand to clear the danger. Mallorca, meanwhile, make their first change as Hemed replaces Nsue.
Two half-chances in quick succession for the home side as Ozil flashes an effort just wide of the post before Bigas is forced to head a Ronaldo effort behind for a corner. There is just no respite for Mallorca as they continue to camp in their own penalty area. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Hemed collects possession in the Madrid box before finding an effort towards the bottom corner, but Lopez is across to make the save. In fairness to Mallorca, they have tried to attack in the second period, but they have just not seen enough of the ball. They still look stunned from that five-minute period.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Madrid comfortable in control of the possession. Mallorca will take heart from their performance this evening. In fairness, their task to remain in the league will not depend on results at places such as the Bernabeu. But they may see this match as a missed opportunity.
Another half-chance for the home side as Ozil finds Ronaldo at the near post, but his flick is just wide of the target. Ozil has just utterly changed the entire course of this match. He is finding the pockets of space that were not available in the first period. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
Another half-chance for Madrid as Ronaldo darts into the box before striking towards goal, but Aouate is on hand to make the save. The same battle commences moments later, but once more the goalkeeper comes out on top. You just cannot help but feel that there are more goals in the final stages of this match.
Mallorca make their second change of the match as Victor is replaced by Pereira. Moments later, Madrid come close to their fifth as Ozil drives a low cross into the box, but Kevin just beats Ronaldo to the ball. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Giovani floats another dangerous cross into the box, but Pereira can only head over the crossbar from close range. Quick side note on the goalkeeping position at Madrid, it is understood that Iker Casillas will be back in action in the next couple of weeks. Will he come straight into the team? Alves will have something to say about that.
Mallorca make their third and final change of the match as Fontas replaces Tissone. It hasn't quite happened for Fontas this season having joined from Barcelona at the beginning of the campaign. Madrid continue to force the issue with a succession of corners, but no real chances for either side in the last couple of moments.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Higuain to add his third of the match, but his effort is tipped wide by the Mallorca stopper. Another half-chance arrives moments later as Ozil strikes from distance, but it was always moving wide of the post.
CHANCE! Glorious opportunity for the away side to make it 4-3 as Giovani dances into the box before striking towards goal, but Lopez is on hand to make the save. The rebound falls to Pereira, but once more the Madrid goalkeeper makes the save. Good attitude from Mallorca in the latter stages.
The away side continue to pass and probe in the latter stages with Giovani darting down the left before finding Hemed in the box, but the tall striker just cannot find a strike under pressure from Ramos. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes of added time and we are indeed into the first of those.
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GOAL! Real Madrid 5-2 Mallorca (Benzema)
Madrid add gloss to the score in the final moments as Higuain finds Benzema in the box, who turns his effort home from close range. That is just about that for this match.
FULL-TIME: Real Madrid 5-2 Mallorca
So there we have it. Madrid score four times in the second period to record a 5-2 win over Mallorca. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and stay with us for action from Valencia. Until then!
