Real one step closer to winning La Liga despite Barca's win

Real Madrid continued to lead the La Liga standings table by eight points after defeating RCD Mallorca 1-0 at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on Saturday.

Aurelien Tchouameni scored the only goal of the game for Real in the 48th minute with an amazing knuckle ball. The club had the chance to net more, but Jude Bellingham hit the crossbar in the first half. Brahim Diaz missed an opportunity from closer range after Tchouameni's goal.

This was the Real's fourth straight win and added another three points for them to sit in the top with 78 points when there are seven more games to go. The club remain undefeated in the past 12 La Liga games.

"The team has been very consistent, what we've done is be consistent and very solid, we haven't always played well but the team has always competed in every game," Real's manager Carlo Ancelotti said at the post-game press conference. "Everybody talks about individual quality, which is true, we have a squad with a lot of quality, but the more quality you have, the harder it is to find commitment."

"We're aware of where we are in this moment in La Liga, in the Champions League, each game is like a final," Ancelotti added. "Having that advantage is very important ahead of Sunday's game [the Clasico] and that as our objective. I'm very happy, winning here is always difficult. In the second half we played at a very high level."

The result of Real playing Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on April 21 will mainly decide which of them can win the 2023-24 La Liga championship. Barca beat Cadiz 1-0 at Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla in Cadiz, Spain, on Saturday to keep the suspense alive until the El Clasico.

Joao Felix scored the game winner for Barca in the 37th minute with an excellent bicycle kick. "I guess this stadium gives me luck. It wasn't planned, I just reacted and it happened. What a great feeling it was and even better with a win this time," he said after Saturday's game. "We made a very good game from the start, it is a very difficult stadium to play at. We were good up-front early and good on defense later on, when they made a run as they are fighting for salvation."

Barca's manager Xavi Hernandez praised their opponents for their "really professional performance" and told reporters that his side "wanted to win to keep the pressure on Real Madrid."

"We wanted to win to keep the pressure on Real Madrid. It wasn't easy but it's three important points," Xavi said. "We are fighting for La Liga, we want to compete. It's not in our hands but it's up to us to try and cut the gap on Madrid. There is ambition, commitment ... Everyone is up for it. I am proud of the team."