Real Madrid ease past Mallorca to set up Super Cup final against Barcelona

Real Madrid secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Real Mallorca on 4 January, setting up a Spanish Super Cup final showdown with arch-rivals Barcelona.

Goals from Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and an own goal by Martin Valjent sealed the win at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Madrid, looking to avenge their heavy El Clasico defeat in October's La Liga clash, took a decisive step towards the trophy with Bellingham's clinical strike in the second half. Backed by a vocal crowd, Los Blancos never appeared in danger of losing their grip on the match.

After a goalless first half, Madrid broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute. Bellingham capitalised on a sequence of close attempts, slotting home the rebound after Rodrygo's header struck the post and Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif parried Kylian Mbappé's follow-up effort.

It was Bellingham's eighth goal in his last 10 games, continuing a phenomenal run of form. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni praised the Englishman's impact, saying, "Jude is a phenomenal player. He helps us win games all the time, whether it's with goals, assists, or his work on the pitch."

Rodrygo, who also found the net late on, echoed similar sentiments: "At the start of the season, he had some trouble scoring, but he's been working hard every day, and the results are showing now."

Madrid began the game on the front foot, with Lucas Vázquez and Rodrygo coming close to breaking the deadlock early. Although Mallorca, last season's Copa del Rey runners-up, managed to restrict Madrid's chances, they failed to mount significant pressure of their own.

The Spanish and European champions had a scare in the second half when Tchouaméni was forced off after a clash of heads with Cyle Larin, but the Frenchman later confirmed he was unharmed.

Mallorca's hopes of a comeback were dashed in the 83rd minute when Valjent inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to block a pass. Rodrygo capped off Madrid's dominant performance with a close-range finish in stoppage time, ensuring a repeat of last season's Super Cup final against Barcelona.

The result means Madrid will face their fierce rivals on 7 January in a high-stakes encounter. With Barcelona having triumphed in October's league Clasico, Carlo Ancelotti's men will be eager to turn the tables and lift the trophy in Saudi Arabia.