A European place up for grabs. Last day of the season. Where better or easier for Mallorca than a trip to champions to Real Madrid.
The story of the match could probably have been pre-written. Madrid all over Mallorca who had opted for a set-up to try and frustrate; it was never going to work, and it didn't. Özil's first strike just after the half-time break pretty much settled things after Ronaldo and Benzema had given Madrid a two-goal lead after 45 minutes. Castro got one back, only for Özil to do with his right foot after 57 minutes what he had done with his left nine minutes earlier.
It was always going to be a long shot for Mallorca, the European place. Away at Madrid on the final day of the season was the worst possible game, and so it proved. Mallorca finish eighth, Levante taking the sixth slot after a 3-0 beating of Bilbao. Elsewhere, Villarreal are relegated, following a home defeat to Atletico Madrid, a result that will give Mallorca some consolation, as they remember all the bad blood with Villarreal over a European place from two seasons ago.
But a brave effort by Mallorca. Really brave. Relegation beckoned not so long ago, but the team put itself in with an unexpected chance of European representation. But brave also because the team achieves things in spite of all the ridiculous shenanigans off the field. If these were put right, who knows, maybe the team could be a real contender. Congratulations, Mallorca and coach Caparrós, a valiant effort; eighth is actually an achievement.
Madrid:
Casillas; Arbeloa (Albiol 43), Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo (Coentrao 76); Khedira, Alonso; Benzema, Özil, Ronaldo; Higuain (Di María 66)
Goals: Ronaldo (19), Benzema (22), Özil (48, 57)
Mallorca:
Aouate (Calatayud 82); Cendrós, Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Pina, Martí; Pereira (Alfaro 45), Castro, Bigas (Tissone 53); Victor
Goal: Castro (51)
Yellow: Castro (62)
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