Last-Gasp Real Madrid Win Delays Barcelona’s La Liga Title Celebrations

Jacobo Ramon’s dramatic 95th-minute winner for Real Madrid against Mallorca has delayed Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations by at least another day.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona were just moments away from being crowned champions without even kicking a ball. But Ramon’s late strike at the Santiago Bernabéu, effectively the final kick of the match, snatched a 2-1 win for Madrid and kept their slim title hopes alive.

Barcelona, needing just two points from their final three games to secure the league title, will have another chance to clinch it when they face Espanyol at 20:30 BST on Thursday.

Mallorca stunned the home crowd early when Martin Valjent rifled in a low strike to give the visitors the lead in Madrid. The hosts dominated possession and created numerous chances, but wasteful finishing nearly cost them.

Kylian Mbappe eventually drew Real level with a powerful low effort, but the pressure continued to mount as Real struggled to convert further opportunities. It wasn’t until the final moments that Jacobo Ramon capitalized on poor Mallorca defending to volley home from close range and complete the comeback.

Despite the victory, Barcelona still hold a commanding lead—four points ahead of Real Madrid with a game in hand—thanks in large part to their 4-3 El Clásico triumph on Sunday, their fourth win over Madrid this season. That dominant record includes victories in both the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup finals.

As Real’s title hopes fade, manager Carlo Ancelotti is poised to finish what may be his final season at the club without a major trophy. The Italian is set to take over as Brazil’s head coach after the season, with Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso widely tipped to succeed him at the Bernabéu in time for June’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Ancelotti, the most decorated coach in Real Madrid’s history with 15 trophies—including three Champions League and two La Liga titles—last lifted silverware in December, when his side beat Mexican club Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup in Qatar, a relatively modest prize for a club with Real’s ambitions.

“The team played very well,” Ancelotti said after the match. “They fought hard, played with great intensity, and the win was totally deserved. We want to finish the season strongly. It didn’t start well, but we improved in every aspect.”