Palma de Mallorca, December 13, 2025 — RCD Mallorca claimed a vital home victory over Elche CF in LaLiga EA Sports, a result that reshaped the lower half of the table and injected renewed belief into Javier Aguirre’s side. Backed by a passionate Son Moix crowd, Mallorca delivered a performance built on intensity, efficiency, and collective discipline, securing three points that lifted them to 14th place and dragged Girona into the relegation zone.
For Elche, the defeat was another frustrating chapter in a season defined by inconsistency away from home. Despite moments of reaction and technical quality, Sebastián Beccacece’s team once again failed to impose control in a match that demanded patience and composure.
A Night Charged with Urgency
The context surrounding the fixture elevated its importance. Mallorca entered the match hovering uncomfortably close to the drop zone, fully aware that anything less than victory could deepen their troubles. Elche, sitting mid-table with 19 points, arrived with less immediate pressure but knowing that a positive result would strengthen their position and distance them from the bottom.
From the opening whistle, Mallorca played with the urgency of a team fighting for survival. Their press was aggressive, their duels forceful, and their intent unmistakable. Elche, by contrast, looked cautious in the early stages, attempting to manage possession but struggling to bypass Mallorca’s compact midfield block.
Mallorca Strike First
The breakthrough came as a reward for Mallorca’s proactive approach. Exploiting space between Elche’s defensive lines, the home side found joy through quick transitions and direct vertical play. The opening goal ignited Son Moix and validated Mallorca’s game plan: intensity first, precision second.
Elche attempted to respond by pushing their full-backs higher and circulating the ball with greater confidence. For a brief period, they succeeded in stretching Mallorca’s shape, and their equalizing goal reflected a moment of quality and determination. Centre-back Pedro Bigas later highlighted that reaction as a positive takeaway from the match.
“We knew it was going to be difficult — they’re a very tough opponent,” Bigas said. “We reacted well after the first goal, but then we lost control of the match, and that’s something we need to improve.”
Turning Point Before the Break
Just as Elche seemed to be growing into the contest, Mallorca delivered a decisive blow. A moment of defensive disorganization allowed the hosts to regain the lead, shifting momentum firmly back in their favor. The timing of the goal — arriving before halftime — proved psychologically damaging for Elche, who entered the break chasing the game once more.
Bigas was candid in his post-match assessment.
“We weren’t comfortable. In their half, we needed more patience. It was a match where we should have had much more of the ball than we did.”
Mallorca, meanwhile, retreated into a more controlled rhythm after halftime. Rather than overextending, they prioritized defensive solidity and waited for Elche to take risks.
Mascarell and the Decisive Third Goal
As Elche pushed forward in search of an equalizer, spaces inevitably opened up. Mallorca exploited one such moment ruthlessly. Vedat Muriqi, the focal point of Mallorca’s attack, delivered the final blow with a goal that effectively sealed the contest.
Midfielder Omar Mascarell, who also found the net, described the calm that washed over the team after Muriqi’s strike.
“When I saw Muriqi and knew it was him, I knew he was going to finish it. That third goal gave us real peace of mind,” Mascarell explained.
Mascarell’s own goal carried emotional weight. A former Elche player, he chose not to celebrate out of respect, later referencing the pain of the club’s previous relegation season.
“It’s a team I have a lot of affection for. The year of relegation was very hard. That’s why the apology.”
Elche’s Ongoing Away Struggles
The defeat extended Elche’s troubling run on the road. Once again, they showed flashes of quality but lacked the sustained control required to manage an away match in a hostile environment.
“Away from home, the victory has to come soon,” Bigas admitted. “There have been many matchdays without winning outside.”
Elche’s inability to dominate possession in key phases was a central issue. Despite having technically capable midfielders, they failed to dictate tempo, allowing Mallorca to set the terms of engagement.
Mallorca’s Collective Identity
If there was one defining feature of Mallorca’s performance, it was unity. Every defensive action was met with vocal support from the stands, and every transition forward carried conviction. Mascarell emphasized the collective spirit in his post-match comments.
“I’m very happy with the team’s effort and the support from the fans. We faced a very good opponent, but we played like a team.”
That identity — hard-working, resilient, and emotionally connected to the supporters — has often been Mallorca’s greatest weapon, particularly at home.
Table Implications
The result had immediate consequences beyond the two clubs involved. Mallorca’s rise to 14th place pushed Girona into the relegation zone, tightening an already congested battle at the bottom of the table. Every point now carries amplified significance, and Mallorca’s victory served as a reminder that home form can be decisive in survival fights.
Elche, despite remaining ninth with 19 points, missed an opportunity to pull further clear of danger. While their position suggests comfort, the margin for error remains slim, particularly if their away form does not improve.
Looking Ahead
For Mallorca, the challenge now lies in maintaining momentum. Performances like this must become the standard rather than the exception if they are to avoid being drawn back into the relegation scrap.
Elche, meanwhile, face urgent questions about game management on the road. Technical quality alone will not suffice without control, patience, and emotional discipline.
As Son Moix emptied and the echoes of celebration faded into the Palma night, one thing was clear: this was more than just three points for Mallorca. It was a statement of intent, a reaffirmation of identity, and a reminder that in LaLiga, belief and unity can be just as decisive as talent.