football
Madrid’s Two-Minute Fury: How Vinícius and Güler Flipped the Bernabéu Script
Shock in the Spanish Capital: Mallorca Dares to Dream
It began as a night scripted for an upset. In the 18th minute, Vedat Muriqi—Mallorca’s physical forward—leaned his shoulder into a corner and guided the ball past Thibaut Courtois, silencing much of the Santiago Bernabéu. For a fleeting moment, the narrative of La Liga’s early weeks shifted. Real Madrid, perfect in their opening two matches, had finally been pierced.
This was not just another conceded goal. It was the first time under new manager Xabi Alonso that Los Blancos’ defensive shield cracked in domestic competition. For Mallorca, it felt like validation of courage—the audacity to believe the Bernabéu fortress could be breached.
Two Minutes That Changed Everything
But football is a sport of merciless momentum. Real Madrid needed less than two minutes to wrestle back control.
First came Arda Güler, timing his header perfectly after Dean Huijsen nodded an Álvaro Carreras cross into the six-yard box. The Turkish starlet, already being whispered about as the next midfield jewel, had his first Bernabéu roar of the season.
Seconds later, Vinícius Júnior—Madrid’s flair merchant—cut inside with electric pace, scuffed a finish, and still watched it trickle into the bottom corner. From despair to delirium, the crowd erupted.
The scoreboard now read 2-1 Real Madrid, and the energy never returned to Mallorca’s lungs.
VAR Drama and Offside Agony
Madrid didn’t stop pressing. Kylian Mbappé, already carrying three La Liga goals this season, twice thought he’d scored. First, he stretched onto a threaded pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold—only for the flag to rise. Minutes later, he swept home after a deflection, but the assistant referee’s decision was the same: offside.
If that wasn’t enough frustration, Franco Mastantuono, Madrid’s 18-year-old summer signing, dazzled with fearless footwork. His composure belied his years. He fired narrowly over, then danced past two defenders to set up another chance. Güler eventually bundled the ball in, but VAR intervened—handball in the buildup. Three times Madrid celebrated; three times technology silenced the stadium.
Alonso’s Fingerprints: Control, Poise, and Patience
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid often looked vulnerable in the dying minutes, their brilliance shadowed by late concessions. But Alonso’s team showed new discipline. After Mallorca nearly equalized—Carreras clearing off the line to deny Samu Costa—Madrid shut the game down with maturity.
This was not the frantic Madrid of old. This was Alonso’s version: balanced, aggressive, yet pragmatic enough to protect a lead. It hinted at evolution, a fresh identity forming under the former Bayer Leverkusen mastermind.
Psychological Warfare: Why Two Minutes Matter
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Mallorca [Isabel Infantes/Reuters]
What do two goals in two minutes really signify? In football psychology, momentum swings can permanently alter a team’s emotional state. For Mallorca, the sudden reversal created a mental freeze. Having tasted advantage, they were immediately forced to chase shadows.
For Madrid, it was validation. Players like Vinícius thrive on energy and rhythm. Scoring in quick bursts fuels confidence, a reminder that even when trailing, they are rarely beaten.
Spotlight on Stars: Who Defined the Match?
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Arda Güler: More than just a goal, his vision and movement created multiple layers of danger. At 19, he looks set for a breakout season.
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Vinícius Júnior: Not his cleanest finish, but decisive. He remains Madrid’s chaos engine, capable of turning games in seconds.
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Franco Mastantuono: Youth on fire. His debut Bernabéu start hinted at years of stardom to come.
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Vedat Muriqi: The poacher’s instinct gave Mallorca hope, and his physicality remains their most potent weapon.
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Xabi Alonso: Perhaps the biggest winner. His tactical fingerprints—structured pressing, fullback rotations, and composure in transitions—were clear.
The Bigger Picture: La Liga Race Ignites
Madrid’s victory keeps them perfect with three wins from three. But the context is wider:
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Barcelona head to Rayo Vallecano aiming to match their rivals.
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Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao could also reach nine points if results fall their way.
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With Atlético Madrid stumbling, an early three-way shootout could define the first months of Spain’s title race.
Alonso’s Madrid, however, look ominous. They’ve already survived defensive tests, VAR frustrations, and rotation challenges—and still emerged spotless.
Bernabéu Nights and the Alonso Era
There’s a poetic weight to this victory. The Bernabéu is where legends are tested, where patience runs thin, and where tactical revolutions are either born or buried. For Alonso, still in his first months, this was an exam in adversity. Falling behind at home, facing a stubborn underdog, and dealing with disallowed goals—the script could have unraveled.
Instead, he leaves the night with three wins from three, a sharpened squad, and the crowd’s applause. Real Madrid under Alonso already feels different.
Looking Ahead
The international break looms, offering Alonso his first true pause. But when La Liga resumes, Madrid’s schedule intensifies: Barcelona chasing, Europe calling, and expectations mounting.
If the lessons of this Mallorca match hold true, Real Madrid are not just surviving a transition—they’re embracing it with electricity.
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