RCD Mallorca were unfortunate to slip to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Alavés following a contentious VAR-awarded penalty converted by Lucas Perez and a late Joselu goal.
Ante Budimir almost got Los Bermellones off to a dream start at Mendizorrotza Stadium when his low drive on the edge of the box struck the post after 10 minutes.
The striker’s early effort ultimately ended up being the best chance of an embattled first half as neither side were able to break the deadlock.
Proceedings mirrored tempo prior to the break and remained firmly locked in midfield as Febas, Baba and Salva Sevilla worked tirelessly in the engine room to feed Budimir’s runs down the channel.
While captain Xisco Campos claimed the first shot of the second half, his volley following a set-piece was one to forget as the ball went high and wide from a difficult angle.
Despite having had little to do for a majority of the game, Manolo Reina later showed good awareness to later tip a looping Joselu header over the bar.
Substitute Perez put Alavés in front from the penalty spot following a prolonged VAR consultation that adjudged Lago Junior to have caught Tomás Pina as he jumped for a header.
The hosts condemned RCD Mallorca to defeat with a second goal courtesy of an incisive attack ending with substitute Oliver Burke sliding the ball across for Joselu to poke home.
RCD Mallorca:M. Reina, Sastre, Xisco Campos, Valjent, Gámez, Baba (77’), Febas (66’), Salva Sevilla, Takefusa Kubo, Lago Junior (77’), Ante Budimir
Substitutes: Fabricio, Lumor Agbenyenu, Señé, Pedraza, Aridai (77’), Dani Rodríguez (66’), Abdón (77’)
Alavés: Sivera, R. Duarte, Ely, Laguardia, Ximo Navarro, T. Pina, Aleix Vidal (82’), M. Wakaso, Luis Rioja (88’), Joselu, Guidetti (58’)
Substitutes:Aritz Castro, Lucas Pérez (58’), D. Torres, Pere Pons (88’), Martín, Oliver Burke (82’), Borja Sainz
Goals: Lucas Perez (76'), Joselu (86')
