Second Half Turnaround For Madrid


A purple patch of 3 goals in 6 second-half minutes helped Real Madrid to recover from a disappointing first half and secure a 5-2 victory over Mallorca.

The away side shocked the Bernabeu, taking the lead twice to enter the interval with a 2-1 advantage after goals from Nsue and Alfaro either side of Higuain's equaliser.

In the second-half, Ronaldo equalised with a header which triggered a fightback and a further two goals in 6 minutes. Modric's screamer and Higuain's second gave the home side a comfortable lead and Benzema finished the rout with the last kick of the game.

Mallorca, in danger of being dragged into a relegation dogfight, entered the game positively and created problems through Giovanni Dos Santos. The Mexican fired an early warning shot over the bar before crossing superbly to the head of Nsue for the games opening goal.

Madrid fought back and equalised on the 15 minute mark. Luka Modric's ball carved through the Mallorca defence and found Pepe, who executed a superb pirouette and tapped the ball off to Higuain who had an easy finish.

6 minutes later and the visitors were in front again. Pedro Bigas corner met the head of Alfaro, hitting the far post and into the net.

Ronaldo had the hosts best chance of equalising before the interval on the half-hour mark but his shot grazed the post and went wide. Madrid headed into half time behind.

Recently, Mesut Ozil has provided the saving grace for Real after a poor first half display and today was no different.

It was his corner 6 minutes into the second half that was met by the head of Ronaldo, flying into the far corner of the net to bring the game level at 2-2.

Just two minutes later Madrid took the lead. Fabio Coentrao was felled inside the area but nothing was given, instead Mallorca cleared the ball away. It only went as far as Luka Modric and the Croatian sent a rocketing shot past Dudu from 25 yards out.

Ozil caused Mallorca more problems three minutes later, his smooth pass across the goal finding Gonzalo Higuain who dispatched his second of the day.

From here it was plain sailing for Real and Karim Benzema was on hand to finish the rout with the last kick of the game when he latched onto Higuain's pass.

Real now lie 10 points behind leaders Barcelona while Mallorca are 2 points from safety.

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