The league leader kicks off the year with a win

Real Madrid beat Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabéu to finish the first half of the season as LaLiga leaders. Ancelotti's men, just as they did in Vitoria in the last game of 2023, decided the game from a set piece in the second half, this time with a goal from Rüdiger from a corner taken by Modrić. Our team, who have not conceded a goal in their last two league games, will now turn their attention to their title defences in the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

There were no goals in the first half, although there were chances to score. The first three were for our team. Modrić put the ball into the box and Bellingham's header from the second line ended up in Rajkovic's hands in the 13th minute. Seven minutes later, Ancelotti's side created some danger again in a move that again came from Modrić's boots and ended with a left-footed shot from Vini Jr. inside the box that was saved by the visitors' keeper, who got just enough contact with his left foot to turn the ball out for a corner.

Chances
Real Madrid kept attacking and the first goal of the game could have come in the 37th minute. Vini Jr. controlled on the edge of the area and shook off Samu Costa but his powerful long-range shot was blocked by Rajkovic with a fine save. Mallorca's reaction came before half-time when Antonio Sánchez's shot hit the crossbar in the 41st minute.  

The second half began as the first half ended, with Mallorca hitting the post. This time it was Samu Costa with a long-range shot in the 54th minute. The reply came fifteen minutes later. Rodrygo's shot inside the area was met with a great save from the visitors' keeper in response, but Brahim tried to take advantage of the rebound with a diving header that hit the post and came dangerously close to crossing the goal line. 

Rüdiger decides
The minutes ticked away and in the 78th minute, Real Madrid were rewarded with a well-deserved goal. As in Vitoria, the game was decided by a set piece. Modrić took a corner and Rüdiger sealed the win with a precise header. From then until the end, our team was able to hold on to the advantage obtained to clinch the the victory and finish the first round in top-spot.