Trent Alexander-Arnold shines for Real Madrid
Real Madrid 2 - 1 Mallorca
Real Madrid overturned an early deficit to secure their third successive victory at the start of the La Liga season.
Author | Jack L
Stadium | Santiago Bernabéu
The visitors struck first when Vedat Muriqi forced the ball over the line from Pablo Torre’s corner. Madrid responded quickly as Arda Güler headed in from Dean Huijsen’s knockdown, before Vinícius Júnior sealed the points with a superb individual finish.
Xabi Alonso’s side saw three further efforts ruled out. Kylian Mbappé twice had goals chalked off for offside, while Güler was denied by a handball decision.
Trent back to his best?
Trent Alexander-Arnold, deployed on the right of a back four, once again operated in an inverted role at the Bernabéu, drifting centrally and frequently joining attacks rather than playing as a conventional full-back.
At 0-0 he produced a superb 50-yard pass from deep inside his own half to pick out Kylian Mbappé, who finished clinically only to see the flag raised for offside. The delivery underlined Alexander-Arnold’s vision and range, even if the goal did not stand. Moments later he crossed for Mbappé again, with the striker this time denied by the goalkeeper, before testing the target himself with a low drive that fizzed just wide.
Although he was not directly involved in Madrid’s two goals, Alexander-Arnold made a decisive intervention at the other end after the hosts had turned the match around. Sergi Darder’s cutback left Mateo Joseph seemingly with an open goal, but the 26-year-old slid in inside the six-yard box to block the effort.
He registered more touches than any other player on the pitch with 72 before being replaced by Dani Carvajal with 18 minutes remaining. He entered the final third nine times, a figure bettered by only one Madrid player, though he also surrendered possession on 14 occasions.
The renovated ground looks incredible
Carreras also performed well
Xabi Alonso was full of praise for Álvaro Carreras, whose assured displays have quickly become a hallmark of Real Madrid’s early-season form.
Despite having joined less than two months ago, the defender is playing with the authority of a seasoned regular, his performances marked by composure and consistency.
Carreras was again influential in the win over Mallorca on Saturday, producing a crucial clearance off the line to preserve Madrid’s lead before making a significant impact in attack.
