RCD Mallorca marked their return to La Liga with a 2-1 victory against SD Eibar at San Moix courtesy of an early Dani Rodríguez strike and Paulo Oliveira’s own goal.
The hosts needed just four minutes to take the lead in front of an expectant 15,127 fans, and following a quick turnover of possession, Dani Rodríguez broke forward from midfield and delivered a composed finish past the on-rushing Marko Dmitrovic.
In the ascendancy following the early goal, Dmitrovic remained busy and was forced to deny Lumor’s effort from outside the box in addition to preventing the ever-hassling Ante Budimir from latching onto dangerous passes.
Remaining competitive despite heralding few other openings, the final chance of the half fell to the visitors. Doing well to contort his body to meet a deep cross, a speculative overhead kick from Fábian Orellana flew over the bar.
Half-time did little to break the embattled ebb-and-flow of the game although SD Eibar began to find their rhythm, forcing Manolo Reina into back-pedalling towards goal and flicking Sergi Enrich’s looping header over the bar.
However, the goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Oliveira’s equaliser on the 57th minute as the defender capitalised on a loose ball in the box following Kike’s saved header against the post.
Not letting their heads drop after the scores were levelled, Lagos Junior latched onto a Dani Rodríguez through ball, sped past his marker but fired wide of the far post.
The winger continued to get joy down the left flank and his in-swinging cross was almost converted by Dani Rodíiguez, although the Spaniard could not get his header on target.
RCD Mallorca were finally rewarded for their wing play 15 minutes from the final whistle as this time Oliveira flicked home a dangerous delivery into his own goal – giving Vicente Moreno’s side a late winner.
The result means Los Bermellones kickstart their return to La Liga with a well-deserved three points and will look to do the same ahead of hosting Real Sociedad on Sunday at San Moix.
RCD Mallorca: Reina, Sastre, Raillo, Valjent, Lumor, Baba, Salva Sevilla, Febas, Dani Rodriguez, Lago Junior, Budimir
Substitutions: Alegría, 65’. Trajkovski, 74’. Xisco Campos, 86’.
SD Eibar: Dmitrovic, Rober Correa, Oliveira, Ramis, Tejero, Escalante, Sergio A., Orellana, Leon, Sergi Enrich, Kike G
Substitutions: Edu Exposito, 31’. Quique, 76’. De Blassis, 82’.
Goals: 1-0, Dani Rodriguez, 4’. 2-0, Oliveira, 57’ . Oliveira (OG), 75.
