No goal for Mbappé in his Spanish league debut as Real Madrid draws 1-1 at Mallorca

MADRID (AP) — Defending champion Real Madrid couldn't manage more than a 1-1 draw at Mallorca in Kylian Mbappé's first Spanish league match on Sunday.

In his second game with Madrid after debuting midweek, Mbappe failed to break through. The France great had scored in Madrid's 2-0 win against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti started with the same squad that beat Atalanta, with Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior and Mbappé in attack.

“They change position from time to time,” Ancelotti said of Vinicius and Mbappé. “Sometimes Mbappé plays more centrally and sometimes one of the two has to occupy this flank, without a particular plan. It depends on how they feel about it.”

It was Rodrygo who put Madrid ahead against Mallorca 13 minutes into the match, but the hosts equalized with Vedat Muriqi's goal in the 53rd.

“We got off to a good start, taking the lead and then had a chance to get the second goal," Ancelotti said. “We didn’t find the balance in the second half. We could have lost as there was no balance at the back. It wasn’t a good game. We need to defend better. We’re a very attacking team, but defensive balance is a fundamental factor.”

Madrid defender Ferland Mendy was sent off deep into second-half stoppage time for a hard foul on Muriqi.

“I don’t want to make excuses for anything, but we just need to do better and with a better attitude,” Ancelotti said. “We can learn a lot from this match. It’s quite clear where our problems could come from.”

Rafael Nadal, who is from the island of Mallorca, was among those watching the match at the Son Moix Stadium.

Mallorca’s players provided a guard of honor for the Super Cup winners, lining up to applaud the Madrid team as they entered the field before kickoff.

Real Sociedad, which finished sixth last season, was upset 2-1 at home by Rayo Vallecano, which fought to avoid relegation in the last campaign.

Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello scored second-half goals to put Rayo in front, while Sociedad only found the net with Martín Zubimendi's goal deep into stoppage time.

On Saturday, Robert Lewandowski scored twice to give Barcelona a 2-1 win at Valencia in coach Hansi Flick’s Spanish league debut.

Atletico Madrid visits Villarreal on Monday.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Real Madrid's Rodrygo celebrates after scoring the opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Real Madrid's Rodrygo, left, celebrates with Federico Valverde after scoring the opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Real Madrid's Rodrygo, right, celebrates with Vinicius Junior after scoring the opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi, centre, runs past Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal, left, Vinicius Junior, 2nd left and Federico Valverde, right, while celebrating after scoring his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Real Madrid's Eder Militao reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi, left, runs past Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal, left and Vinicius Junior while celebrating after scoring his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Real Madrid's Rodrygo walks back as Mallorca players celebrate after Vedat Muriqi scored his side's first goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe runs with the ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Mallorca and Real Madrid at the Son Moix Stadium in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Francisco Ubilla)

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Matt Wallner homered for the second straight game, Brooks Lee snapped an 0-for-19 stretch with a go-ahead, two-run double and the Minnesota Twins beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 on Wednesday night.

Royce Lewis nearly had his sixth career grand slam for Minnesota in the seventh inning, as his drive to left field was initially called a home run but a review showed that the ball hit off the top of the wall and back into play for a two-run double.

Wallner’s 13th homer of the season into the bullpens in left-center field tied the game after Los Angeles’ Taylor Ward led off the game with his 23rd homer. Willi Castro had an RBI single to snap an 0-for-16 skid during a three-run fourth inning for Minnesota.

The Twins have back-to-back wins after losing six of their previous seven games. They remain six games behind Cleveland in the AL Central. Minnesota is two games behind Kansas City and three ahead of Detroit for the final AL wild-card spot.

Nolan Schanuel had his 13th homer of the season among three hits, and Jordyn Adams added his first career homer for Los Angeles, which has lost four of five.

Rookie starter Jack Kochanowicz (2-5) allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings for the Angels. He entered the game with five consecutive quality starts since being recalled on Aug. 10 for his third stint in the majors.

Minnesota rookie Zebby Matthews started and allowed two runs in just 3 1/3 innings. Cole Sands (7-1) pitched 2/3 of an inning in relief.

Jhoan Duran surrendered three hits in the ninth, including an RBI single by Schanuel, but secured his 23rd save.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Angels: INF Brandon Drury left the game in the fifth inning with left hamstring tightness. … Manager Ron Washington said OF Bryce Teodosio sustained a small finger fracture on a bunt attempt a night earlier, but Washington said Teodosio is expected to avoid a trip to the injured list.

Twins: OF Manuel Margot was reinstated from the 10-day injured list after missing 10 games with a right groin strain. ... C Christian Vázquez was also reinstated from the paternity list. ... C Jair Camargo and utility player Michael Helman were optioned to Triple-A St. Paul.

UP NEXT

Angels: LHP Sam Aldegheri (1-1, 2.45 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday as Los Angeles returns home for a series against the Houston Astros, who have not announced a starter.

Twins: After an off day, Minnesota hosts Cincinnati for a three-game series starting Friday. RHP Bailey Ober (12-6, 3.77) will start the first game for the Twins. The Reds haven’t announced a starter.

__

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Olympian Sarah Bacon, left, throws the ceremonial first pitch as olympian Regan Smith watches before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

First responders and military members stand with wreaths in remembrance of 9/11 before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

First responders stand with a wreath in memory of law enforcement officers lost on 9/11 before of a baseball game between the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz reacts after a solo home run by Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Twins' Matt Wallner celebrates while running the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)