As the 'Clasico' looms, Real Madrid maintains its commanding eight-point lead at the summit of LaLiga following a gritty 1-0 triumph over Mallorca on their turf.
Carlo Ancelotti's men now stand firm in their pursuit of the league title, courtesy of a hard-fought victory against a resilient Mallorca side. The encounter witnessed Mallorca's stout defensive display and physical prowess, effectively stalling Madrid's advances in the initial period. Noteworthy was Jude Bellingham's attempt that rattled the crossbar, emblematic of Madrid's struggle to break through in the first half.
However, fortune favored the visitors in the early stages of the second half when Aurelian Tchouameni's thunderous strike, albeit deflected off Manu Morales, found the back of the net, granting Madrid the crucial lead. Mallorca relentlessly sought an equalizer, with Andriy Lunin's heroics denying Sergi Darder in the 73rd minute and Vedat Muriqi squandering a late opportunity in injury time.
Meanwhile, Barcelona, under Xavi Hernandez's stewardship, opted for significant alterations to their lineup against Cadiz, strategically resting key players ahead of the impending Champions League clash against Paris Saint Germain. Despite the tactical shuffle, Joao Felix's acrobatic overhead kick in the 36th minute secured a vital victory for Barca.
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid showcased resilience to overturn a deficit and secure a 3-1 triumph over Girona at home. Antoine Griezmann's penalty and Angel Correa's strike before halftime orchestrated Atletico's turnaround, with Griezmann later doubling his tally to cement the victory. Girona's woes were compounded by a contentious penalty decision, adding to their frustration.
In the south Madrid derby, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe played out a goalless draw, with both sides failing to capitalize on limited opportunities. The stalemate slightly favors Rayo in their battle for survival while dimming Getafe's aspirations of European qualification.
Lastly, Betis halted their four-game losing streak with a resilient 2-1 win over Celta Vigo. Goals from Joan Miranda and Nabil Fekir paved the way for Betis' victory, despite Jorgen Strand Larsen's late consolation for Celta, who find themselves entrenched in the relegation battle.
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