Both teams entered this fixture desperately needing points, with 16th-placed Mallorca sitting precariously just three points above the relegation zone, while 11th-placed Elche sought to build momentum in their quest for European qualification. The hosts secured a thrilling 3-1 victory at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, completing one of the most dramatic comebacks of the LaLiga season.
Mallorca burst out of the blocks when Manu Morlanes rifled home a right-footed effort from the centre of the box in the 5th minute, with Jan Virgili providing the assist. However, their early advantage evaporated in the 21st minute when Pablo Maffeo deflected the ball into his own net, leaving the home crowd stunned. The match remained delicately poised until the final ten minutes, when Omar Mascarell produced a moment of pure magic, unleashing a thunderous right-footed strike from more than 35 yards that sailed into the centre of the goal in the 82nd minute. Vedat Muriqi then sealed the victory with a perfectly-placed header from the centre of the box in the 89th minute, converting Mascarell's pinpoint cross to send Son Moix into raptures.
The tactical battle saw Elche dominate possession with 57.6% of the ball, but Mallorca proved far more clinical in the final third. Sergi Darder orchestrated play from midfield for the hosts, while Antonio Raíllo and Martin Valjent stood firm defensively during Elche's sustained periods of pressure. Iñaki Peña in the Elche goal made several crucial saves, particularly denying Muriqi's header in the 67th minute, but couldn't prevent the late onslaught.
Despite Elche's territorial advantage, Mallorca registered eight shots on target compared to their visitors' zero, highlighting the clinical nature of their finishing. The hosts also won 15 corners to Elche's nine, demonstrating their ability to create dangerous situations from set pieces. Rafa Mir and Álvaro Núñez struggled to make an impact for Elche, with their attacking threat largely neutralized by Mallorca's disciplined defensive structure.
The turning point arrived in the 82nd minute when Mascarell's extraordinary long-range effort shifted the momentum completely. The veteran midfielder's strike not only leveled the scores but galvanized the home crowd and his teammates, setting the stage for Muriqi's dramatic winner just seven minutes later.
This crucial victory lifts Mallorca's hopes of climbing away from the relegation battle, while Elche must regroup quickly to maintain their mid-table position. Both teams will look to build on this result when they return to action in their upcoming fixtures.