R.C.D. Mallorca – Osasuna ends 2–2 after late sting cancels Muriqi brace

R.C.D. Mallorca and Osasuna shared the points in Palma with a breathless 2–2 draw on Saturday, November 29, as a stoppage-time equalizer wiped out Vedat Muriqi’s match-defining brace. The result keeps both teams hovering near the bottom half, with little daylight from the relegation battle despite flashes of quality on both sides.

Mallorca vs Osasuna: key moments and momentum swings

For over an hour, the game simmered rather than boiled. After a tense, chance-light first half, Mallorca found their stride after the break behind their talismanic No. 9. Muriqi smashed home from the spot and then added a slick second—briefly putting the hosts in command and igniting Son Moix. Yet Osasuna refused to fold, clawing back through set-piece pressure and late belief that ultimately proved decisive.

Scorers

• Mallorca: Vedat Muriqi (pen), Muriqi

• Osasuna: Raúl García de Haro, Flavien Boyomo (stoppage time)

Turning points

• 61’–67’: Muriqi’s two-goal burst flips a cagey match on its head.

• 82’: Raúl García’s free-kick sequence hauls Osasuna back into it.

• 90’+2: Boyomo levels amid a chaotic finish; a brief review confirms the goal.

How the game was played: shapes, matchups, and adjustments

Mallorca set up to funnel play wide, compressing central zones where Osasuna’s midfield usually thrives. The hosts’ wingers tracked diligently, while full-backs timed overlaps to avoid transitions the other way. That caution, though, initially dulled Mallorca’s own threat until Muriqi’s penalty shattered the stalemate and forced Osasuna to open up.

Osasuna’s bench made the difference late. Fresh legs tilted field position, and a deliberate push for second balls around dead-ball situations pinned Mallorca deeper. With the home block retreating, Osasuna’s center-backs stepped higher, and midfielders attacked the penalty area lanes—exactly the pattern that produced the 2–1 and the stoppage-time equalizer.

Numbers that tell the story

• Shot profile: Mallorca won the efficiency battle for most of the second half, but Osasuna ended with the higher attempt volume after piling on late pressure.

• Possession: Close to even overall, with Mallorca edging the territorial phases between 55’ and 75’ before Osasuna’s late surge.

• Set-piece impact: Both Osasuna goals stemmed from restarts—an area where Mallorca otherwise defended stoutly until fatigue crept in.

Note: Detailed tallies may vary by provider, but the broader trends—Mallorca’s mid-half control and Osasuna’s late set-piece surge—were clear.

Player spotlight: Vedat Muriqi and the center-back duel

Muriqi was the game’s focal point. Beyond the goals, he repeatedly pinned markers, created layoff angles, and punished even half-mistakes in the box. Osasuna’s center-backs had mixed fortunes—struggling to keep him off his spots after the break but later contributing in attack during the siege. Boyomo’s late strike salvaged a point and partially redeemed earlier fouls that invited danger.

What the draw means for the table

With both teams entering the weekend looking to put distance between themselves and the bottom three, a draw feels like a missed opportunity for Mallorca after leading by two at home. Osasuna, meanwhile, will frame it as resilience and proof that their set-piece blueprint can travel. Still, one point each keeps the margins razor-thin and heightens the stakes of December’s fixtures.

Tactical lessons and what’s next

• Mallorca: Game management with a lead must improve—quicker substitutions in wide areas and an extra ball-winner earlier could have disrupted Osasuna’s late waves. Expect training-ground emphasis on defending second phases after initial clearances.

• Osasuna: The late gamble worked, but the first-hour buildup was too slow and predictable. Earlier vertical runs from midfield and more aggressive full-back positioning could balance their reliance on restarts.

Quick timeline

• 1’–45’ Tight, stop-start half; isolated half-chances, heavy duels, handful of bookings.

• 61’ Muriqi converts from the spot for 1–0.

• 66’–67’ Muriqi adds a second with a composed finish: 2–0.

• 82’ Osasuna pull one back via a set-piece sequence: 2–1.

• 90’+2 Boyomo levels amid a scramble; brief review, goal stands: 2–2.

• 90’+9 Final whistle.

R.C.D. Mallorca let a statement win slip, while Osasuna earned a morale-boosting point with grit and persistence. The scoreline reflects a tale of two halves—and a reminder that set pieces and late energy can rewrite any script in LaLiga.