Real Madrid’s Asensio misses penalty vs. Mallorca (0:48)Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio fails to convert from the spot as Real Madrid trails Mallorca 1-0. (0:48)
Real Madrid slipped up in their bid to retain the LaLiga title after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat at Mallorca on Sunday.
Mallorca took the lead in the 13th minute through a bizarre own goal from Nacho and Los Blancos couldn’t find an equaliser.
– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)
Nacho left his teammates stunned as he tried to clear a cross and headed the ball high over his own goalkeeper and into the net.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had a golden chance for a breakthrough on the hour mark but Marco Asensio saw his penalty saved by Predrag Rajkovic.
The defeat means that Barcelona can extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points if they beat Sevilla on Saturday night.
“It happens in football, I went for it with my head and it went in,” Nacho said when asked about his own goal after the game. “We had the penalty, a clear chance, we couldn’t put it away, it’s a shame, three lost points.
“We knew it was going to be difficult, with the kick-off time, we didn’t have much rest, Mallorca are having a good season, we knew it would be tight, and obviously when they went ahead it got even more complicated.”
There was also another setback for Madrid as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois suffered an injury before the match and was replaced by Andriy Lunin.
Karim Benzema was also missing through injury and Madrid will be hopeful both the striker and Courtois will return to action in time to face Liverpool in the Champions League later this month.
“They scored early and then it was difficult, a lot of fouls, the game stopping a lot, players going down, but the team played until the end, we deserved to draw, we missed the penalty, we created chances in not much space, but we played our game,” Ancelotti said after the defeat.
“We need more mobility, getting in behind, it was hard to play in between the lines. The penalty was a ball in behind. But when the defence is deep it’s hard to get in behind.”
Real Madrid stumble at Mallorca as Asensio misses penalty and Vinicius feud rumbles on
Real Madrid’s LaLiga title challenge suffered a blow as they were outfought and beaten 1-0 in Mallorca as Marco Asensio missed a penalty.
Real Madrid slip up in LaLiga title bid after shock defeat at Mallorca
Real Madrid slipped up in their bid to retain the LaLiga title after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat at Mallorca on Sunday.
Gabriel Veiga grabs his brace to put Celta Vigo in front
Gabriel Veiga grabs his brace to put Celta Vigo in front.
Tepid Atleti held at home by Getafe
Atletico Madrid lose more ground on leaders Barcelona in LaLiga after a 1-1 draw with Getafe.
Atletico Madrid held to 1-1 draw against Getafe
Atletico Madrid dominated the game but were held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday by second-from-bottom Getafe.
Pere Milla completes his hat trick from the penalty spot for Elche
Pere Milla scores penalty goal vs. Villarreal
All soccer News