LaLiga star bursts into tears on pitch as last-gasp winner deals title blow to Real Madrid

Vedat Muriqi was overwhelmed with emotion after he scored a huge last-gasp winner for Mallorca against Real Madrid on Saturday.

The Kosovo international fired into the roof of the net in second-half stoppage time to earn a vital win in their bid for LaLiga safety.

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Mallorca led on 41 minutes through Manu Morlanes, although Real Madrid equalised late on thanks to Eder Militao, with the Brazilian’s header coming from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.

But it was Muriqi who decided the result moments later, doing so after a well-timed pass from Leeds United loanee Mateo Joseph.

The goal was his 19th in LaLiga this season, putting him second in the Spanish top flight’s scoring ranks behind Kylian Mbappe, who has 23.

It appeared to have special significance for Muriqi too, as he was in floods of tears towards the end of his celebration.

Speaking afterwards via MARCA, the 31-year-old explained why his emotions got the better of him.

“Although from the outside I seem very ugly and tough, I’m also human and sometimes emotions and nerves get the better of me,” he said post-match.

“I’ve just missed a penalty in the 92nd minute (against Elche), then lost a final to go to the World Cup (against Turkey) and fulfil the biggest dream of my life.

“Here, it was 1-0 and then a tie in the 88th minute and suddenly, a goal, a great goal, winning 2-1, with my goal.”

Victory has steered Mallorca two points above the LaLiga relegation zone with eight games left to play.

It has also inflicted a heavy blow on their opponents Real Madrid, who are at risk of losing out on the league title once again.

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Real Madrid miss chance to close gap

It’s been a season of upheaval for Madrid, and one that could extend their way for another LaLiga title.

Barcelona are now four points ahead of them at the summit with a game in hand against Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening.

The Catalan side are on course to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 2019.

They have already won silverware at the expense of Madrid this season as they beat them 3-2 in the Supercopa de España final.

A day later, Madrid parted ways with Xabi Alonso, who had only joined in the summer, and replaced him with Alvaro Arbeloa.

“We didn’t have the patience or the things we worked on during the week,” Arbeloa said after the defeat. “We couldn’t turn them around or get down the wings.

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“We played a better first half than the second, knowing that we needed more energy and clarity of thought in the second.”

He added: “This defeat is mine, and I’ve told the players that. It’s entirely mine, and I need them to start thinking about Tuesday’s game (against Bayern Munich) now.

“I’m the one who makes the decisions, the one who makes the substitutions, and the one who tells them how they have to play.

“I need them to give their all in the Champions League, in a competition that is extremely important.

“When they leave the locker room, they only have to think about Bayern.”

Real Madrid host Bayern in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday night.