Spain round-up: Mallorca inflict shock defeat

Real Madrid CF's lead at the top of Primera División was cut to just one point after RCD Mallorca inflicted a surprise 5-1 defeat on Vicente del Bosque's side at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and breathed new life into the title race.

Tight at the top
Real Sociedad closed the gap at the top thanks to a 1-0 defeat of Sevilla FC in Saturday's late game and RC Deportivo La Coruña will return to second place, ahead of Real on goal difference, should they overcome RC Recreativo de Huelva at home on Sunday.

Ronaldo opener
Madrid, who meet Juventus FC in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, made the perfect start when Ronaldo opened the scoring in the ninth minute, slotting a low shot into the far corner. The home side could have added to the lead soon after but Ronaldo failed to capitalise on a mistake by Marcos.

Pandiani on target
Walter Pandiani spurned Mallorca’s best chance before the interval when he was one-on-one with Iker Casillas, yet the Uruguayan forward made amends three minutes into the second half, scoring his 13th league goal of the season as he shot into the net from close range after a defence-splitting ball from Ariel Ibagaza.

Massive boost
The goal was a massive boost for the away side, who went ahead just three minutes later when Albert Riera sneaked between two defenders and prodded in a neat pass from former Real forward Samuel Eto'o. Provider turned goalscorer ten minutes later as Eto'o left Roberto Carlos in his wake inside the box and steered past Casillas for the third.

Carlos own goal
A buoyant Mallorca then pressed home their advantage, with Roberto Carlos deflecting a shot from the impressive Riera into his own net in the 68th minute. The visitors rounded off a commanding second-half display with the fifth goal a minute into added time, as substitute striker Carlos finished off a counterattack.

Sociedad conviction
Real, meanwhile, ensured they benefited from Madrid's defeat by securing a narrow 1-0 win against Sevilla at the Anoeta stadium. The home team began the game with conviction and might have gone ahead twice inside the first twenty minutes, with Javier de Pedro and José Antonio Reyes both going close.

Perfect week
A goal for the home team seemed inevitable, and in the 30th minute it arrived when Xabi Alonso, who made his debut for Spain against Ecuador in midweek, headed De Pedro's cross past goalkeeper Antonio Notario for what proved to be the only goal of the game.

Sunday games
Fourth-placed Valencia CF aim to close the gap on the leaders when they face Real Racing Club Santander away on Sunday, while FC Barcelona take on Rayo Vallecano at home and Club Atlético Madrid play Real Valladolid.