Staff Reporter.
Real Madrid got their LaLiga title defence off to a limp start as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Mallorca, with Vedat Muriqi’s second-half header cancelling out Rodrygo’s early strike and spoiling Kyllian Mbappe’s eagerly awaited debut on Sunday.
The France captain scored on his debut for the club in Wednesday’s 2-0 UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta.
But the summer signing from Paris St-Germain failed to get off the mark in domestic football.
Rodrygo curled home a fine opener from Vinicius Jr’s backheel to give Carlo Ancelotti’s side the lead.
But Muriqi equalised with a header from Dani Rodriguez’s cross.
Madrid defender Ferland Mendy was sent off deep into injury time for a lunge on Muriqi.
Mbappe, PSG’s record goalscorer and six-time Ligue 1 Golden Boot winner, had chances for Madrid. He flashed a shot just wide as well as forcing keeper Dominik Greif into a save with his legs.
This was the first time the 25-year-old World Cup winner had played a league game outside France after starting his career with Monaco.