Zinedine Zidane demands more consistency from Real Madrid after shock loss to Real Mallorca

Lago Junior's stunning goal in the seventh minute proves the difference as the promoted side climb out of the relegation zone

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - RCD Mallorca v Real Madrid - Iberostar Stadium, Palma, Spain - October 19, 2019   Mallorca's Abdon Prats and Fran Gamez celebrate after the match       REUTERS/Javier Barbancho
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Zinedine Zidane bemoaned Real Madrid's lack of consistency after their unbeaten start to the Primera Liga season came to an end with a shock 1-0 defeat at Real Mallorca on Saturday night.

The Balearic Islanders, who before the game were in the relegation zone, had only managed six goals in their opening eight games of their first season back in the big time, but needed just one more to down their illustrious visitors.

It was a cracker too, thrashed home in the seventh minute by Lago Junior who with one swing of his right foot wrote his name into Mallorcan sporting folklore.

Real Madrid, 5-0 winners on their most recent trip to the island in 2012, were without several big names including Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, Toni Kroos and Eden Hazard, but could have no complaints as they failed to function.

Defeat cost them the chance of reclaiming top spot from Barcelona who won earlier in the day and they will have to bounce back quickly with a crucial Champions League clash against Galatasaray on Tuesday having picked up only one point in their opening two matches.

Zidane refused to use the absentees as a reason for the loss.

"These players are injured, and we have others who are good too. But they must show that every time they play, that they have the level to play for Madrid. Today we didn't," he said.

"We must be more consistent if we are to do anything good this year, have more life in our play. Today we didn't have that. Our start to the game was very bad.

"In second half we did not create many clear chances, we lacked a bit of everything today."

It was no smash and grab raid by Vicente Moreno's Mallorca who produced a tenacious display full of energy to beat Real for the first time since 2006, sparking wild celebrations.

The visitors started casually but were rocked when Lago Junior cut in from the left and lashed a right-footed shot across Thibaut Courtois and inside the far post.

The home fans were in delirium soon afterwards when top scorer Ante Budimir thought he had made it 2-0 by thumping a shot past Courtois but the goal was rightly ruled offside.

Karim Benzema struck the woodwork for Madrid before halftime with a half volley and Brazilian Vinicius Jr threatened with his pace, although there was no end product.

The expected second-half siege failed to materialise and Madrid played the last 15 minutes with 10 men after Alvaro Odriozola received a second yellow card for a reckless foul.

Mallorca held firm for their third victory since returning to the top flight following a six-year absence.

They moved up to 14th with 10 points while Real are second, one point behind Barcelona.