MALLORCA TODAY - Real Madrid 5 : 2 Real Mallorca

Mallorca, two successive wins under their belt, away at Madrid: a tough assignment. Dos Santos went close after only two minutes and four minutes later, even better. One-nil to Mallorca. Nsue heading in from Dos Santos's cross. Shortlived euphoria. One-all, Higuain after 14 minutes, and then Dos Santos again keeping López busy with a shot. Astonishingly, as Madrid were dominating, it became two-one to Mallorca six minutes later, this time Alfaro heading in. Ronaldo hit the post, Kaka saw Aouate produce a save, Ronaldo had a free kick, another shot, but the break came with Mallorca still in the lead.

With Mourinho opting to attack, bringing Benzema on for Arbeloa for the second period, Madrid were level again thanks to Ronaldo's header. And then, there was another. Modric. Three-two. Make that, four-two, Higuain three minutes later, thanks to Özil's assist.

Manzano appeared to have conceded. Mourinho, bringing Alonso on, had played all his substitution aces, while Mallorca had played none, until Hemed replaced Nsue with 25 minutes left and almost grabbed a third for Mallorca. But Madrid were now totally in control. Ronaldo drew a fine save from Aouate and he (Ronaldo) was a threat to the end, setting Benzema up, but Aouate denying Madrid a fifth. Not that he could stop Benzema adding the fifth in added time.

Next up for Mallorca (on 31 March) - at home to bottom-club Deportivo, four points behind Mallorca. A possible win for Mallorca, though Depor showed some sign of revival on Friday by winning for once, albeit at home to fellow relegation-strugglers Vigo.

Madrid:
López; Arbeloa (Benzema 45), Varane, Ramos, Coentrao; Pepe, Modric; Morata (Özil 45), Kaka (Alonso 62), Ronaldo; Higuain
Goals: Higuain (14, 56), Ronaldo (51), Modric (53), Benzema (90)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Hutton, Nunes, Bigas, Kevin; Pina, Tissone (Fontás 83); Nsue (Hemed 65), Añfaro, Dos Santos; Victor (Pereira 78)
Goals: Nsue (6), Alfaro (21)
Yellow: Hutton (89)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Madrid 4 : 1 Real Mallorca

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)