Mallorca Dominate Villarreal Stats in LaLiga Round 35 Thriller

It’s the kind of result that leaves analysts scratching their heads and fans debating long after the final whistle. RCD Mallorca, sitting a modest 15th in the table, completely outplayed Villarreal CF, the league’s third-placed side, in terms of raw statistical dominance on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

The match took place at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, kicking off at 12:00 UTC. While the scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story here, the underlying metrics suggest a team that was thoroughly comfortable with the ball against a visiting side that struggled to find its rhythm.

A Statistical Masterclass at Home

Here’s the thing about modern football: possession isn’t everything, but it’s hard to ignore when one team holds onto it for over half the game. Mallorca controlled 56% of the ball compared to Villarreal’s 44%. More importantly, they turned that control into danger. The home side registered 18 total shots, with 8 finding the target area. Villarreal? They managed just 7 shots, only 2 of which were truly on target.

The Expected Goals (xG) metric paints an even starker picture. Mallorca generated 1.74 xG, indicating high-quality chances created, while Villarreal sat at a mere 1.13. It wasn’t just about volume; it was about precision. Mallorca completed 391 passes to Villarreal’s 304, showing a clear intent to build play from the back rather than hoofing it forward. In fact, Mallorca made 303 passes in the opposition half, nearly double the 159 attempted by the visitors.

But wait—there’s a twist. Despite the statistical superiority, the defensive organization of both sides kept the game tight. Mallorca committed 12 fouls to Villarreal’s 16, suggesting the visitors were frustrated and chasing shadows. Ground duels were won by Mallorca 57% of the time (42 out of 74), a sign of physical dominance that often translates to sustained pressure.

Historical Context: A Lopsided Relationship

To understand why this performance was so notable, you have to look at the history. According to FootyStats data covering 19 previous meetings, Villarreal has historically been the stronger side. They’ve won 10 matches (53%), while Mallorca has won only 5 (26%). Four matches ended in draws.

Goal-wise, the gap is evident too. Villarreal has scored 28 goals in these fixtures compared to Mallorca’s 21. The average goals per match between these two clubs sits at 2.76, slightly higher than the La Liga average of 2.7. This suggests that when these teams meet, we usually see goals—and often, those goals come from the Yellow Submarine.

However, recent form tells a different story. Over the last five matches, Villarreal has been solid, recording 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, averaging 1.8 goals scored per game. Mallorca, meanwhile, has been more conservative, with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, averaging just 0.6 goals per match. So, seeing Mallorca dominate possession and shots against a Villarreal side that typically scores freely is a significant shift in momentum.

Key Performances and Tactical Nuances

Mallorca lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, a setup that allows for midfield control and quick transitions through the striker duo. Key players like Román in goal and Samú Costa upfront played pivotal roles. Samú Costa, who scored in the previous meeting between these sides on November 22, 2025, remains a constant threat. That match, played at the Estadio de la Ceramica, ended 2-1 to Villarreal, with Gerard Moreno opening the scoring early.

In this latest encounter, the goalkeeper battle was intriguing. Villarreal’s keeper made 8 saves from 11 attempts (73% success rate), while Mallorca’s Román faced 20 shots but only needed to make 10 saves (50% success rate)—likely because many of Mallorca’s shots were either saved or went wide due to the intensity of the attack. Clearances were relatively even, with Villarreal winning 56% of aerial challenges (9 out of 16) compared to Mallorca’s 44% (7 out of 16).

The corner kick count favored Mallorca 5-4, further evidence of their ability to pin Villarreal back in their own third. Long pass accuracy also tilted in Mallorca’s favor, with 47% completion (18/38) versus Villarreal’s 41% (24/59). This indicates that when Mallorca did switch play, they were more effective than the visitors.

What Does This Mean for the Title Race?

For Villarreal, sitting 3rd in the league, this performance is concerning. If they can’t create chances against a mid-table side at home, how will they fare against the top two? Their recent form includes a 1-1 draw with Real Oviedo and victories over Athletic Club and Girona, showing they can win ugly. But dominating possession without creating quality chances is a recipe for disaster in tight games.

Mallorca, on the other hand, should take confidence from this display. Even if the result didn’t reflect their dominance, the underlying numbers suggest they are improving under their current tactical setup. With 1.74 xG, they were the better team on paper. If they can convert that dominance into goals consistently, they could climb the table significantly in the final weeks of the season.

The details are still unclear regarding any injuries or late substitutions that might have affected the flow, but based on the available data, this was a day where Mallorca proved they belong among the elite—not just in spirit, but in execution.