Real Madrid arrived at Bernabéu without their first-choice line-up. Injuries, rotations, and an end of the season with no major titles in sight. But there was something at stake: pride and avoiding, at all costs, Barça celebrating the league title in advance.
Against a serious and combative Mallorca, Ancelotti's men came out to show their mettle. With Endrick as a new addition to the line-up and with fans who, although resigned, wanted to see a good farewell to the season.
Early blow and white reaction
Mallorca struck first. Valjent surprised everyone with an accurate shot that made it 0-1, silence in the stadium. Once again rowing against the tide, but Madrid didn't give up.
Mbappé, as so often this season, took charge. An individual play, pure power and class, a left-footed shot to the near post. Goal and equalizer, Bernabéu breathed again.
Román and Valjent, Mallorcan wall
Despite the goal, Mallorca didn't crumble. Leo Román, the goalkeeper, made impossible saves and Valjent, besides his goal, saved another almost certain one off the line.
Kylian tried by all means, but there was no way. Even Gonzalo, the youth player, came close to the goal that seemed never to come.
Jacobo Ramón, unexpected hero
Until he appeared, Jacobo Ramón, final minute, lateral cross, Vallejo's header, and the youth center-back, with faith and determination, took advantage of the error between Copete and Leo Román. The ball crossed the line, goal. Total madness at Bernabéu.
A goal that not only gave the three points. It also extended the suspense of LaLiga. Barça couldn't celebrate yet, Real Madrid, even with the bare minimum, was still standing.
Roncero's outburst
As expected, Tomás Roncero didn't hold back. As soon as the goal fell, he took to social media with his unmistakable style.
"Tomaaaaaaa Jacobo Ramón. Tomaaaaaa Barça's alirón tonight. Take that and take that, we're alive!" he wrote.
A cry of rage, joy, and pure Madridism. A direct message to Jota Jordi and the culés who already saw themselves as champions.
Barça, forced to win
Now, the pressure is on the eternal rival. FC Barcelona must defeat Espanyol if they want to celebrate the title. If they don't succeed, Madrid will keep breathing and who knows, soccer sometimes brings surprises.
For now, in Chamartín, they celebrate this small victory as if it were a final. Not for what was won, but for what was avoided. And because, as Roncero says: "We're alive."