Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca: Match Report (2024-25 LaLiga)

On October 6, 2024, in a thrilling encounter at the RCDE Stadium, Espanyol hosted RCD Mallorca in a crucial LaLiga match. The home side entered the game with a recent run of poor form, seeking to break their losing streak against a Mallorca team that had been on the rise. Both teams were looking for a vital three points to improve their standings, making this match pivotal in the early stages of the 2024-25 LaLiga season.

Espanyol, playing in a 3-1-5 formation, had previously struggled to find their rhythm. Meanwhile, Mallorca, set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, was coming off a series of impressive performances, which included a win against Real Valladolid just days before this fixture. Fans were eager to see whether Espanyol could bounce back or if Mallorca would continue their impressive run.

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Lineups

Espanyol (3-1-5)

• Starting XI:
  1. Joan García (GK)
  2. Marash Kumbulla
  3. Sergi Gómez
  4. Carlos Romero
  5. Omar El Hilali
  6. Alex Král
  7. Pol Lozano
  8. Irvin Cardona
  9. Walid Cheddira
  10. José Gragera
  11. Jofre Carreras
• Substitutes:
  12. Fernando Pacheco
  13. Álvaro Tejero
  14. Brian Oliván
  18. Alvaro Aguado
  19. Salvi
  22. Antoniu Roca
  24. Naci Ünüvar
  33. Ángel Fortuño
  35. Rafael Bauza

Mallorca (4-2-3-1)

• Starting XI:
  1. Dominik Greif (GK)
  2. Johan Mojica
  3. Copete
  4. Antonio Raíllo
  5. Pablo Maffeo
  6. Samú Costa
  7. Omar Mascarell
  8. Sergi Darder
  9. Abdón Prats
  10. Dani Rodríguez
  11. Cyle Larin
• Substitutes:
  12. Leo Román
  13. Iván Cuéllar
  18. Antonio Sánchez
  20. Chiquinho
  24. Martin Valjent
  25. Marc Domenech
  30. Mateu Morey
  33. Daniel Luna
  16. Valery Fernández

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Head-to-Head

The history between these two clubs added an extra layer of excitement to the match. In their last five meetings, Espanyol had a slight edge with two victories, while Mallorca secured one, and the remaining two ended in draws.

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Match Progression

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca First Half

In the first half of the match between Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca on October 6, 2024, both teams were eager to establish dominance early on. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Marash Kumbulla scored the opening goal for Espanyol, heading the ball into the bottom left corner from close range after a precise cross by Jofre Carreras. Despite a few attempts from Mallorca to respond, Espanyol maintained control, leading 1-0 at half-time, with Mallorca having slightly more possession but struggling to convert their chances into goals.

• Kick-off: The match began with Espanyol pressing high, showcasing their intent to dominate the game.
• 18’ Goal! Marash Kumbulla scored the opener for Espanyol with a header from close range after a well-timed cross from Jofre Carreras.
• The first half ended with Espanyol leading 1-0, despite Mallorca controlling 60.3% of the possession.

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Half Time Summary

• Score: Espanyol 1, Mallorca 0
• Key Events:
  • Goals: 1 (Kumbulla)
  • Shots on Target: Espanyol 2, Mallorca 3
  • Fouls: Espanyol 9, Mallorca 11
  • Yellow Cards: Espanyol 0, Mallorca 2

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Second Half

The second half began with a surge from Espanyol, and just two minutes in, Jofre Carreras doubled their lead with a right-footed shot from outside the box, assisted by Irvin Cardona. The momentum shifted when Mallorca finally found the back of the net in the 68th minute; Antonio Raíllo scored from close range after a well-worked corner kick, narrowing the gap to 2-1. As the match progressed, Mallorca attempted to equalize, creating several opportunities, but Espanyol’s defense held firm. The match concluded with Espanyol winning 2-1, securing a vital victory while Mallorca was left to ponder missed chances and a late surge that ultimately fell short.

• 47’ Goal! Jofre Carreras doubled Espanyol’s lead with a stunning long-range strike.
• 68’ Goal! Antonio Raíllo pulled one back for Mallorca, heading in from close range after a corner.
• The match became increasingly frantic as Mallorca sought an equalizer, but Espanyol held firm.

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Full-Time Summary

• Final Score: Espanyol 2, Mallorca 1
• Key Events:
  • Goals: 2 (Kumbulla, Carreras) for Espanyol; 1 (Raíllo) for Mallorca
  • Shots on Target: Espanyol 3, Mallorca 5
  • Fouls: Espanyol 14, Mallorca 19
  • Yellow Cards: Espanyol 1, Mallorca 5

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Stats

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Timeline

The match showcased a solid performance from Espanyol, who managed to capitalize on their chances efficiently. Kumbulla’s early goal set the tone, while Carreras’s strike early in the second half put them in a commanding position. Mallorca’s fight back was commendable, particularly Raíllo’s goal, but they could not find the equalizer despite several attempts.

Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Impact on the Points Table

Following this victory, Espanyol climbed to 10 points, moving into mid-table. Mallorca, despite the loss, remained competitive with 14 points, but they missed a chance to strengthen their position in the top half of the table.

Player Achievements

• Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca Man of the Match: Jofre Carreras (Espanyol) for his goal and overall playmaking ability.
• Milestones: Marash Kumbulla’s goal marked his first in LaLiga this season.

The match between Espanyol and RCD Mallorca (2024-25 LaLiga) highlighted the resilience of the home side and the ongoing challenges for Mallorca. As both teams continue their campaigns, this result could serve as a turning point for Espanyol, revitalizing their season ambitions.

FAQs

Q1: Who scored the goals in the Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca match?
A1: Marash Kumbulla and Jofre Carreras scored for Espanyol, while Antonio Raíllo netted the only goal for Mallorca.

Q2: How did the Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca match impact the league standings?
A2: Espanyol gained vital points, moving to 10 points, while Mallorca remained on 14 points, still in contention for the top spots.

Q3: What were the key events of the Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca match?
A3: Key events included two goals from Espanyol in the first and second halves and a goal from Mallorca, along with multiple fouls and yellow cards for Mallorca.

Q4: Which players stood out in the Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca match?
A4: Jofre Carreras was instrumental for Espanyol with a goal and a constant threat, while Antonio Raíllo fought hard for Mallorca, scoring their only goal.

Q5: What are the next fixtures for both teams (Espanyol vs RCD Mallorca)?
A5: Espanyol will look to build on this win in their next match, while Mallorca will need to regroup and adjust their strategy for their upcoming fixtures.