Three second-half goals helped Los Blancos come from behind to beat RCD Mallorca 4-1, with some special strikes on display.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side seemed at risk of losing their perfect record when Vedat Muriqi headed RCD Mallorca in front in the 35th minute. The forward powered a header past Thibaut Courtois at the back post off a Lee Kang-In cross before celebrating wildly with the away crowd.
Federico Valverde restored parity with a sensational solo goal on the stroke of half-time. The Uruguayan picked the ball up deep inside his own half, then drove forwards with it, avoiding challenges from opposition defenders until he reached the edge of the box and slammed an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
Rodrygo Goes, too, dazzled the crowd with his nimble footwork, the Brazilian creating and scoring the two goals that pulled Real Madrid away from their opponents. The youngster first assisted his compatriot Vinicius Jr in the 72nd minute, drawing defenders in with his dribbling before poking the ball in his teammate’s path for the finish.
Later on, Goes scored on his own. Tip-toeing around the Mallorca defence, he found his way inside the box, sat a defender down with a dummy, and finished comfortably past the custodian.
Antonio Rudiger scored his first for Los Blancos in the third minute of second-half stoppage time – a volley off a Toni Kroos set-piece – concluding a comfortable 4-1 win.
Elsewhere, Real Betis overtook Villarreal into third place by beating the latter 1-0 at home. It took until a minute past the hour for either of the goals to be breached.
Rodri Sanchez scored the goal – the only one of the game – by sliding in at the back post to meet a Luiz Henrique cross. Villarreal probed for an opening but were kept at bay by goalkeeper Rui Silva and his staunch defence.
Furthermore, Athletic Club moved into fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Villarreal, with a thumping 4-1 win over Elche. Real Sociedad, however, slid downwards after losing 2-1 at Getafe.
