Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Mallorca, leaving them four points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga title race. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa took responsibility for the defeat, stating that it was "absolutely, all mine" for the team's decision to concede in the 91st minute. He also left Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham out of the starting 11 and introduced them as second-half substitutes as Madrid desperately sought an equaliser. The loss was blamed on a tired performance from the team following the international break. The team's performance was followed by heartbreak in the World Cup qualifying playoffs with Kosovo.