Casemiro bids emotional farewell to Real Madrid ahead of Man Utd move
Real Madrid star Federico Valverde scored a stunning solo goal to draw his side level against Mallorca in their La Liga clash on Sunday. The reigning champions had fallen behind when Vedat Muriqi put the visitors ahead. However, he ran the length of the opposing half to boost his side's chances of picking up all three points.
Real Madrid have gone into their clash with Mallorca hoping to record a seventh straight win of the season.
They experienced a difficult first half, however, with Muriqi rising above Ferland Mendy to head the visitors in front - despite the hosts dominating the contest at the time.
Just before the interval, though, Valverde struck.
The Uruguay international, who has become an increasingly important figure for the club in the wake of Casemiro’s move to Manchester United, ran the length of the opposing half to blast the ball into the net and draw his side level.
Real fans roared their approval, with Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr then mobbing their team-mate as he celebrated his strike.
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It was just what Real deserved, too, given how much they’ve been dictating proceedings before the ball went in.
In the first half they recorded 15 shots, with four on target, while Mallorca could only muster three in return.
Real dominated the ball, having 72 per cent of possession - meaning their opponents had just 28 per cent.
Real completed more passes with 362, compared to Mallorca’s 133.
And Carlo Ancelotti’s side also had a 91 per cent pass accuracy, as well as committing less fouls and picking up less yellow cards during the opening 45 minutes.
Real Madrid fell behind against Mallorca before Federico Valverde levelled (Image: GETTY)
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Speaking before the game with Mallorca, meanwhile, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti opened up on Eden Hazard.
"Hazard did well against Celtic,” he said.
“Tomorrow, I will play him. Let's hope he can have a great game.”
And he added: "Against Celtic, we did not have the same system. It might be that Hazard does not have the same run of goals that Karim has because it has been a while since he played.
"I am going to ask him to play well, as he did against Celtic, in order to maintain the good offensive attitude.”