La Liga wrap: Real come back to thump Mallorca

17 March 2013 00:50

Real Madrid have scored three goals in six minutes to pull off a 5-2 win over Mallorca, with a Luka Modric stunner starting the comeback.

Mallorca made the brighter start to the match thanks to Mexican midfielder Giovani dos Santos, who did brilliantly to beat his man in the sixth minute before sending a cross towards the far post, where Emilio Nsue headed home.

Gonzalo Higuain equalised for Real on the quarter-hour mark, despite suspicions of offside, smashing into an open goal after Pepe rolled the ball into his path.

But six minutes later, the visitors from Mallorca were back in front, when Dos Santos' corner was flicked on by Pedro Bigas for Alejandro Alfaro to nod into the net.

The introduction of Karim Benzema and Mezut Oezil at half-time turned the game for the home side.

Cristiano Ronaldo headed Oezil's corner home in the 52nd minute before Modric's thumping strike from over 20 yards out gave Real the lead two minutes later.

Another assist from Oezil allowed Higuain completed his brace in the 57th minute before the Argentine striker turned provider in second-half stoppage time as Benzema wrapped up the three-goal triumph.

Saturday's victory takes second-placed Real four points clear of local rivals Atletico Madrid, who will play on Sunday, while Barcelona are also yet to play this weekend and sit 10 points ahead at the top of La Liga.

Real Sociedad extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches thanks to a 4-1 thumping of Real Valladolid, with Antoine Griezmann scoring twice.

The 21-year-old French striker scored in the 33rd minute to get Sociedad underway before Imanol Agirretxe doubled the home team's lead six minutes later.

Griezmann made it 3-0 a minute before half-time and Sociedad were cruising three minutes after the break when Xabi Prieto got on the scoresheet, while Valladolid could only manage a goal through Javi Guerra in the closing stages.

In other La Liga results, Valencia defeated Real Betis 3-0 and Getafe overcame Athletic Bilbao 1-0.