(Reuters) – Holders Real Madrid’s LaLiga title defence got off to a limp start as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Mallorca, with Vedat Muriqi’s second-half header for the home side cancelling out Rodrygo’s early strike and spoiling Kylian Mbappe’s domestic debut.
Real Madrid started well and took the lead thanks to a fine curling strike by Brazilian forward Rodrygo assisted by a back heel pass by his country mate Vinicius Jr in the 13th minute.
However, Muriqi netted a powerful header from a corner in the 53rd minute to level for the locals, who frustrated Real thereafter.
Real ended the match with 10-men after defender Ferland Mendy was shown a straight red for a sliding tackle deep into added time.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
