Barcelona defeat Mallorca amid controversial goal decision

Barcelona will hope to continue their La Liga campaign the way they started in, running out 3-0 winners against Mallorca at the Campo de futbol de Son Moix.

Barcelonas second goal was marred in controversy. Yamal shot from the edge of the box, hitting defender Railo on the top of the head. The man when down the play did not pause, with Torres latching onto the loose ball and eventually putting it into the goal.

Most Mallorca defenders seemed to have stopped assuming the ball was dead, as their teammate laid on the ground clutching his head and a scuffle around the referee when they realised the goal stood.

According to FIFA’s rules, the game should be stopped in the event on a head injury.

Asano had a chance immediately after the controversial goal, but was unable to provide the keeper any real work to do.

Garcia was kicked on the face by Muriqi whilst playing sweeper keeper on the edge of his box. The keeper went to clear his lines when the striker raised a high foot in an attempt to win the ball. After VAR consultation, his initial yellow was upgraded to a straight red.

Morlanes was dismissed for a second bookable offence just after half an hour of play.

Raphinha got Barcelona off to the perfect start, putting the Catalan club in the lead after just seven minutes, converting Yamal’s cross and heading the ball home. Morey played the Brazilian onside, who snuck in behind the defender.

Mallorca wasted their best chance of the first half as Asano found Muriqi, but was unable to convert the chance point blank in front of goal, putting the shot straight into the keepers hands.

On the stroke of half time, Raphinha went flying into a reckless tackle on Morey which could have ended in severe injury. Morey escaped unharmed and Raphinha received a booking.

Sanchez made an incredible block to stop Barcelona going 3-0 up, in an amazing bit of last ditch defending. Barcelona, in an effort not to be outdone in any sense this game, responded by making an amazing last ditch block to keep out a set piece cross from finding its two unmarked intended targets. It certainly would have been converted from ten yards out.

Román made a spectacular double save, backpedaling to do so, to limit the damage and adding to Torres’ growing agony of not scoring another.

Mallorca’s defensive efforts were in vein, as Yamal found the top left hand corner after cutting inside in added time to make the game 3-0.