Mallorca 2-2 Barcelona: Youngster Fermin Lopez comes off bench to rescue a point for Xavi Hernandez's side
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Updated 27/09/2023 at 18:32 GMT+1
Barcelona arrived in Mallorca with six straight wins in all competitions and on the back of manager Xavi Hernandez extending his contract until 2025. But the Catalans conceded a shock early goal in this La Liga match courtesy of Vedat Muriqi. Raphinha grabbed an equaliser only for Abdon Prats to restore the hosts’ lead. Youngster Fermin Lopez then came off the bench to rescue a point for Barca.
Fermin Lopez of FC Barcelona celebrates 2-2 with Joao Cancelo of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Mallorca v FC Barcelona at the Visit Mallorca Stadium.
Image credit: Getty Images
Barcelona twice went behind against Mallorca but came back to earn a 2-2 draw in La Liga and maintain their unbeaten start to the season thanks to a Felix Lopez equaliser.
The Azulgrana goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was culpable for the opener when he gifted the ball to Antonio Sanchez, who set up Vedat Muriqi to give Mallorca an eighth-minute lead.
Raphinia levelled with a brilliant strike from 25 yards, but on the stroke of half time Abdon Prats put Mallorca back in front with a route-one goal as Muriqi flicked Predrag Rajkovic's long kick into his path and the striker beat Ter Stegen to the ball to nudge home.
Joao Felix struck against the post from long-range and, moments after he came on, Lamine Yamal fell in the box and was awarded a spot kick - though the referee reversed this decision after viewing the sideline video.
Yamal played a big part in the equaliser, playing a slide-rule pass for Raphinia who then crossed towards Robert Lewandowski and the Pole's smart dummy set up another replacement Lopez to bring the scores level 15 minutes from time.
Mallorca could have taken the lead for the third time in the match in the final minute of injury-time but Cyle Larin skewed an effort wide when one-on-one with Ter Stegen.
The point puts Barcelona a point ahead of Girona at the top of the table. The draw lifts Mallorca to sixth-bottom.
Talking point - Yamal needs to be careful
Cristiano Ronaldo would not be a bad role model for Lamine Yamal, although those at Barcelona would of course much rather he chose the Portuguese star's long-time nemesis. One aspect he might not want to copy was the reputation Ronaldo had in his teenage years for always going to ground easily.
With some help from Walter Smith, as the legend goes, Ronaldo of course removed this from his game and no doubt Yamal will too in time. In the modern game there is not even the consolation of winning a penalty for going to ground, as the referee changed his initial decision to award Yamal a penalty following his dazzling run moments after coming on.
Later in the half there was a borderline foul on the edge of the box and the referee, forewarned, told Yamal to get up.
He has so much to offer, and he produced a fantastic near assist to Lewandowski and a key part in Fermin's goal, so it would be a real shame if any negativity was attached to the name of this scintillating talent.
Player of the match - Raphinha (Barcelona)
Even in the first quarter of the game, when the rest of his team-mates were far from at the races, Raphinha looked an ever-present danger. This increased as Barcelona finally got a hold of position with him creating chances for his team-mates, including a gilt-edged one for Ferran Torres, before he fired in an unstoppable equaliser. He squandered a chance to put Barcelona in front before the break but was on hand to set up Ferin for the second leveller.
Player ratings
Mallorca: Rajkovic 7; Gonzalez 6, Copete 7, Nastasic 6, Valjent 6, Maffeo 7; Antonio Sanchez 7, Samu Costa 7, Dani Rodriguez 6; Abdon Prats 7, Muriqi 8.
Subs: Costa 6, Darder 7, Larin 6, Van Der Heyden 6, Marianes 6.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 5; Cancelo 6, Araujo 6, Inigo Martínez 6, Balde 6; Gundogan 6, Oriol Romeu 6, Gavi 7; Raphinha 8*, Ferran Torres 6, Joao Felix 6.
Subs: Lewandowski 6, Yamal 7, Fermin 7, Kounde 6.
Match highlights
8' GOAL FOR MALLORCA! An error from Ter Stegen to give the ball away in his own area and at the second attempt Sanchez crossed for Muriqi to squeeze a shot into the net. What a start for the hosts.
39' GREAT CHANCE FOR FERRAN TORRES A fine run to the edge of the box from Gavi and he then slid a ball through to Ferran Torres but his effort was saved by Rajkovic.
41' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! And a fantastic one from Raphinia. He's been the only likely Barcelona threat and he scored in typical fashion racing across the field 25 yards from goal and then firing a low effort giving Rajkovic no chance.
45+2' GREAT SAVE FROM RAJKOVIC Raphinia pulls back to Joao Felix and he shot a low curling effort bound for the inside of the post but the home keeper dived to push the ball away.
45+4' GOAL FOR MALLORCA! Unbelievable. Mallorca have not got out of their half for a long time but here was the perfect route one goal as Muriqi flicked on Rajkovic's long kick and then Abdo stretched his leg and flicked with the outside of his boot to nudge the ball past Ter Stegen and into the net.
55' JOAO FELIX SO CLOSE TO AN EQUALISER! He grabs a lose ball 25 yards from goal and fires an effort which Rajkovic could only stand and look at as it bounced off the post.
65' PENALTY FOR BARCA! What an impact Yamal runs into the area and takes on the Mallorca defender before being felled in the box by Copete.
67' THE REFEREE IS CHECKING THE DECISION It looked a penalty live but from behind the goal there appeared minimal if any contact. NO PENALTY! The referee has overruled his decision after watching the video.
75' GOAL FOR BARCELONA! Fermin levels things for Barcelona. Raphinia scored the first and he creates this one. Yamal slid a ball into Raphinia whose cross was dummied by Lewandowski and Fermin.
90+7' WHAT A CHANCE FOR LARIN! He was played in by fellow substitute Darder but he skewed a side-foot wide of the target.
Key stat
It is now 13 games since Mallorca beat Barcelona. They had their chances tonight.
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