Kylian Mbappe unable to inspire Real Madrid to victory on LaLiga debut

Vedat Muriqi ensured Kylian Mbappe’s LaLiga debut ended in disappointment as Real Mallorca came from behind to prevent Real Madrid from launching their title defence with a victory.

The striker powered home a 53rd-minute header to cancel out Rodrygo’s first-half strike in a 1-1 draw at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Sunday evening.

French superstar Mbappe, a summer arrival from Paris St Germain, forced a series of saves from Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif but was ultimately unable to find a way past him as he, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior interchanged fluently, but without the required cutting edge.

The reigning champions, who had Ferland Mendy sent off for a rash stoppage-time challenge on Muriqi, found themselves having to defend deep and in numbers as the hosts started strongly, Dani Rodriguez scuffing wide on the turn before Samu Costa forced Thibaut Courtois into fine a fifth-minute save.

However, Mbappe served warning of his intent seconds later with a pacy solo run from inside his own half which was ended by Pablo Maffeo after the Frenchman had opted not to play in team-mate Vinicius.

Having settled into the game, the visitors took a 13th-minute lead when, after Mbappe and Bellingham had combined twice, Vinicius back-heeled the ball into the path of Rodrygo, who took two touches before curling a right-footed shot around Greif and inside the far post.

Rodrygo from a tight angle and Antonio Rudiger from distance both went close as Madrid flexed their muscles and Mbappe found the side-netting after running on to Vinicius’ near-post cross.

Mallorca threatened only fleetingly, more often than not in the shape of Muriqi, although Rodriguez headed over from Maffeo’s 37th-minute cross and Muriqi was unable to capitalise after Courtois had spilled Takuma Asano’s cross at his feet as the break approached.

However, the hosts were back in it within eight minutes of the restart when Muriqi met Rodriguez’s corner with a thumping header which gave Courtois no chance.

Muriqi glanced another header into the Belgium international’s waiting arms with Mallorca sensing an opportunity, but Greif had to make a vital 62nd-minute save from Mbappe after he had cut inside from Bellingham’s pass and fired towards the bottom corner.

Greif denied Mbappe with a foot before defender Johan Mojica cleared the danger with 20 minutes remaining and the home side found themselves under intense pressure as the game entered its final stages.

Luka Modric troubled Greig with a shot nine minutes from time, but fellow substitute Antonio Sanchez almost snatched victory for Mallorca at the death with an attempt which flew just wide.