Real Madrid produced a stunning second-half response to to pull off a 5-2 home win over Real Mallorca on Saturday, with a Luka Modrić stunner starting the comeback.
Emilio Nsue gave the visitors an early lead but Gonzalo Higuaín levelled, before Alejandro Alfaro put Gregorio Manzano's side in front again before half-time.
The introduction of Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil at half-time turned the game for the home side and Cristiano Ronaldo sparked Madrid to life with an equalizer on 51 minutes that took his league tally to 27 goals this season.
Madrid then took the lead for the first time in the game two minutes later thanks to a remarkable effort from Modrić.
A slipping Alan Hutton was robbed of the ball on the byline and although Mallorca kicked the ball clear, it was only to find Modrić 30 yards from goal.
The Croatian midfielder controlled the ball with one touch and then rifled the ball far into the top corner to leave goalkeeper Dudu Aouate with no chance.
The ball accelerated to a fearsome velocity as it swerved out of the reach of Aouate.
Higuaín added his second goal of the night three minutes later before providing the assist for Benzema's injury time tap-in.
"I'm happy about what I've done and about the goal, and I want to keep it up," Modrić told the club's website.
"I feel more comfortable. The match against Manchester (United) helped me loads and gave me more confidence than I had in the beginning. I had confidence before but not in the way that I wanted.
"This is football and in a match everything can change and turn out well."
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| Luka Modrić celebrates after scoring Real Madrid's third goal against Mallorca Photo: Getty Images |
Emilio Nsue gave the visitors an early lead but Gonzalo Higuaín levelled, before Alejandro Alfaro put Gregorio Manzano's side in front again before half-time.
The introduction of Karim Benzema and Mesut Özil at half-time turned the game for the home side and Cristiano Ronaldo sparked Madrid to life with an equalizer on 51 minutes that took his league tally to 27 goals this season.
Madrid then took the lead for the first time in the game two minutes later thanks to a remarkable effort from Modrić.
A slipping Alan Hutton was robbed of the ball on the byline and although Mallorca kicked the ball clear, it was only to find Modrić 30 yards from goal.
The Croatian midfielder controlled the ball with one touch and then rifled the ball far into the top corner to leave goalkeeper Dudu Aouate with no chance.
The ball accelerated to a fearsome velocity as it swerved out of the reach of Aouate.
Higuaín added his second goal of the night three minutes later before providing the assist for Benzema's injury time tap-in.
"I'm happy about what I've done and about the goal, and I want to keep it up," Modrić told the club's website.
"I feel more comfortable. The match against Manchester (United) helped me loads and gave me more confidence than I had in the beginning. I had confidence before but not in the way that I wanted.
"This is football and in a match everything can change and turn out well."
