Real Madrid 2-0 Real Mallorca: Sergio Ramos on target as hosts return to La Liga summit

Vinicius Junior opened scoring for Madrid in comfortable home victory; Luka Romero becomes youngest La Liga player

Wednesday 24 June 2020 23:29, UK

Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 home victory over Real Mallorca thanks to goals in each half from Vinicius Junior and Sergio Ramos to stay in charge of the La Liga title race ahead of Barcelona.

Brazilian youngster Vinicius opened the scoring with a cool finish in the 19th minute after missing an earlier chance and he hit the crossbar later in the first half.

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Captain Ramos doubled Madrid's lead with a superb free-kick, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner to score his eighth goal of the league season and his 10th in all competitions.

Mallorca forward Luka Romero, 15, became the youngest player to make his La Liga debut when he came off the bench.

Real's fourth win in a row since the season returned took them back to the top of the table on 68 points after 31 games, level with Barcelona but ahead of the Catalans due to their superior head-to-head record.

Madrid visit Espanyol on Sunday, while Barcelona play at Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Real Mallorca forward Luka Romero became the youngest player to make his La Liga debut after the 15-year-old came off the bench.

Aged 15 years and 229 days, Romero came on in the 83rd minute to break a record lasting over 80 years held by former Celta Vigo player Francisco Bao Rodrguez, known as Sanson, who made his first La Liga appearance in 1939 aged 15 and 255 days.

Romero had been an unused substitute in Mallorca's three previous matches since the season resumed this month after a three-month pause due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

The son of Argentine lower league player Diego Romero, the forward was born in Mexico but represents Argentina at youth level and has been at Mallorca's academy since age 10, having moved to Spain aged two.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad lost 1-0 to Celta Vigo to remain winless after the pandemic break and lose ground in the fight for Champions League places. Forward Iago Aspas scored Celta's winner by converting a penalty just before half-time.

Elsewhere, mid-table Osasuna won 1-0 at Alaves to end their three-match losing streak.