Real Madrid saw off a solid challenge from relegation threatened Mallorca with a three goal in seven minutes outburst in the second half.
Real Madrid vs. Mallorca: Final score 5-2, Madrid overcomes Mallorca with a second half outburst
Mallorca led Real Madrid at halftime but three goals in six minutes early the second half allowed Los Merengues to cruise to a victory.
Mallorca got started early with the pressure on Real Madird. In the 3rd minute Giovanni Dos Santos too advantage of a misplayed ball by Sergio Ramos, breaking into space outside the Madrid area and sending his shot over the crossbar. Three minutes later Dos Santos was back, this team whipping a ball back across the area to an open Emilio Nsue who powered a header past Diego Lopez into the bottom corner, gibing Malaga a 1-0 lead.
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Madrid battled back and equalized in the 15th minute when Luka Modric's pass into the center of the Malaga area got past defender and met with Pepe who timed his run past the defensive line. Pepe executed a rather amazing piroutte right in front of the charging Malaga goalkeeper Dudu Aouate, passing the ball out left to the wide open Gonzalo Higuain on the left side for the easy tap-in.
In the 21st minute Malaga went back in front when Alfaro out-jumped Ramos and headed the ball off the far post and into the net. Pedro Bigas provided the service off a corner kick.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a couple opportunities as the half wound down to pull Madrid back even but he wasn't able to find the target. The best chance came in the 30th minute as Ronaldo's open shot from the center of the Malaga box grazed the post and went wide. His frustration was on display after the miss as he unleashed a bit a gyration tantrum at himself.
Madrid have had a habit recently in league play of struggling in the first half, bringing on Mesut Özil, and looking like their usual amazing selves in the second half. If you were expecting something different today, you’ll have been sadly disappointed.
In the 51st minute Özil’s corner found Ronaldo in the area who directed a header into the far corner as he made a move away from the goal, pulling Madrid even at 2-2.
Two minutes later Fábio Coentrão went down on the left side of the penalty area but did get the call from the referee. instead, Mallorca's clearance was brought down by Luka Modric who took a couple strides toward goal and rocketed the ball past Dudu from 25-yards to put Madrid in the lead for the first time at 3-2.
Three minutes after that Madrid were back again when Özil got loose on the right side of the Mallorca area near the touchline before sending a smooth pass towards the opposite post. As usual, Özil’s vision was spot on as his pass found Higuain for his second easy tap-in on the day.
Karim Benzema added a fifth Madrid goal in stoppage time, finishing off a pass from Higuain from close range.
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