Real Madrid snatch late win against Mallorca, but Barça still boss title race

Real Madrid may have stolen a last-minute 2-1 win over Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, but the result does little to change the inevitable – Barcelona are still firmly in control of the La Liga title race.

With just two matches remaining, Madrid trail Barcelona by four points.

The Catalans, who have three games left, need just one more win to mathematically seal the title. If Barça beat Espanyol on Thursday night, the race is over – no remontada this time.

Jacobo Ramón, a 20-year-old centre-back, scored the winner in the 95th minute, moments after Kylian Mbappé had levelled the game in the 68th.

Mallorca had earlier gone ahead through Martin Valjent, and Madrid looked lethargic and disjointed for much of the match – a recurring theme this season.

Carlo Ancelotti’s final weeks in charge have been clouded by injuries, tactical confusion, and a squad seemingly going through the motions.

Madrid’s late win brought short-lived joy to a half-full Bernabéu, but it’s been a shambolic campaign by their own lofty standards.

With Ancelotti set to depart and Xabi Alonso expected to take over, Real Madrid now face the task of rebuilding a squad that’s lacked identity and consistency all season.

For now, their fate rests in Barcelona’s hands and that hand is firmly clutching the trophy.