For almost 80 minutes, Los Blancos were falling short against RCD Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night. A couple of clear-cut chances weren’t enough to get in front, and Carlo Ancelotti and his players were on the verge of losing two critical points in the title race. However, thirteen minutes from time, the German defender of African origins, Antonio Rudiger, slotted a perfect header for the win, 1-0.It was a superb shot, a curve ball for Mallorca’s excellent keeper, Rajkovic, who couldn’t do anything to prevent the tragic outcome.GOOOOOOL DO DO REAL MADRIDFINALMENTE A BOLA ENTROU RUDIGER pic.twitter.com/LVf71fC4o7— Jude Bellingham Brasil (@JudeBellinghami) January 3, 2024 Until then, he was the Man of the Match nominee with a handful of outstanding saves that kept the minnows in the game and on the brink of a goalless draw. He shone in the first half, stopping Vinicius Jr’s mighty shot from mid-range before doing the same to Rodrygo’s second-half effort inside the area. After the latter, Brahim Diaz jumped on a loose ball, but his header ended on the post. It piled some more pressure on Bellingham, Modric and other Real Madrid stars, who were frustrated seeing the ball constantly escaping the back of the net.Nah if Vini scored this it would have crashed Real Madrid twitter pic.twitter.com/xnUKRv5fLX— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) January 3, 2024 To be fair, Mallorca had their one perfect opportunity to upset the favourites before the interval. Antonio Sanchez’s header four minutes before the break hit the woodwork, and a tad bit of luck was the only missing piece of Mallorca’s puzzle at that moment.##NAJAVA_MECA_7777675##Still, they can’t blame luck for conceding that crucial goal, as Rudiger’s reaction was as good as it gets, especially for a defender.These three points take Madrid over Girona, with the Catalans hosting Atletico Madrid in Wednesday’s later game.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 19TuesdayGetafe – Rayo Vallecano 0-2 (0-1)/Camello 45+1, 47/Real Sociedad – Alaves 1-1 (0-0)/Zubimendi 90+6 – Rioja 76 pen/Valencia – Villarreal 3-1 (2-0)/Yaremchuk 4, Pepelu 27 pen, 57 pen – Moreno 73/WednesdayGranada – Cadiz 2-0 (1-0)/Uzuni 22, Zaragoza 70/Celta – Betis 2-1 (1-1)/Iago Aspas 16 pen, Swedberg 90+6 – Ruibal 6/ Real Madrid – Mallorca 1-0 (0-0)/Rudiger 77/Girona – Atl. Madrid IN PROGRESS Thursday19.00: (1.75) Osasuna (3.70) Almeria (5.40)21.15: (3.20) Sevilla (3.45) Ath.Bilbao (2.35)23.30: (6.00) Las Palmas (4.00) Barcelona (1.57)***odds are subject to change***
