Real Madrid defeats Mallorca to set up Supercopa final against Barcelona

Real Madrid defeated Mallorca 3-3 to reach the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona thanks to the goals of Jude Bellingham and Rodrigo Rodriguez.

After Bellingham’s clinical second-half goal on Thursday in Saudi Arabia, Madrid have a chance to reclaim their crushing defeat at LaLiga in October.

Madrid never looked like letting the advantage slip, and a stoppage-time own goal from Rodrygo and a close third from close range from Rodrygo sealed the victory. The team was heavily supported by the Jeddah supporters.

Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Madrid, praised the way his side asserted control of the match in the second half. “When those up front activate, anything can happen”, he said of his front three attackers and Bellingham. “The four]forwards] are very dangerous. That’s quite evident. Everyone can see it, the quality they have”.

Real Madrid faced the Copa del Rey runners-up last season, with Lucas Vazquez and Rodrigo Goes coming out on top in the opening half.

After falling under Dani Rodriguez’ pressure, Kylian Mbappe asked for a penalty, but the answer was soft.

After leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, Kylian Mbappe has had a difficult start at Real Madrid.

Mallorca, under the direction of Jagoba Arrasate, found their footing and successfully resisted the Spanish and European champions for a second half without a second chance.

Aurelien Tchouameni injured his head in a match against Cyle Larin, but he later appeared to be frustrated with his withdrawal.

Dominik Greif, a Mallorca goalkeeper, kept Rodrygo and Mbappe at bay while Madrid broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute through Bellingham’s post-afternoon save.

Rodrygo’s header from Vinicius Junior’s cross struck the upright, and Mbappe’s effort was parried by the scrambling Greif, a blistering Madrid move that was fruitful.

Continue a remarkable run of individual performances by Bellingham by positioning the rebound just in the right place at the right moment, carefully slotting the rebound past defenders on the goal line.

Soccer Football - Spanish Super Cup - Semi Final - Real Madrid v RCD Mallorca - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 9, 2025 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham scores their first goal REUTERS/Pedro Nunes — Jude Bellingham, right, was a stand-out performer as Real Madrid lifted the domestic and European double last season]Pedro Nunes/Reuters]

In his last ten games, the England international has scored eight goals total.

“Jude is a phenomenal player. He helps us win games all the time, with goals, assists or just his work”, Bellingham’s fellow midfielder Tchouameni remarked afterwards, adding that he was unharmed by the head collision that saw him withdrawn from the game.

When Valjent stretched to cut out a pass and slid the ball into his own goal, Mallorca struggled to find a way back in and ended up contributing to Madrid’s second goal.

Late in the game, Rodrygo’s victory sealed a place in the Super Cup final that Madrid won last year.

Since the midfielder fell ill and missed the match on Thursday, Madrid must wait to see if Luka Modric will be available for Sunday’s final.

The Spanish champions announced in a statement just before the semifinal that “our player Luka Modric is out of the game against Mallorca because of a viral illness.”