FC Barcelona kicked off their 2025-26 La Liga campaign at Son Moix against RCD Mallorca, one of their main objectives this season. But their debut was quickly overshadowed by controversy after Ferran Torres scored a disputed goal following a dramatic decision from referee José Luis Munuera Montero.
The visitors struck early when Lamine Yamal delivered a precise cross to the far post for Raphinha, who scored a great header in the 7th minute. With Barca firmly in control, the controversy came on their second goal.
In the 22nd minute, Yamal cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot that was deflected off Antonio Raíllo’s head. The defender immediately went down in visible pain, but play continued. As Mallorca appealed for the stoppage, Torres pounced on the loose ball at the edge of the box and buried Barcelona’s second.
The uproar came when Munuera Montero allowed the goal to stand. While Raíllo was still on the ground receiving medical attention, the referee retrieved the ball and signaled for the goal to count, sparking furious protests from the home side.
Replays showed Munuera Montero briefly raised his whistle to his mouth as Raíllo went down but never blew it, keeping the play live. In disbelief, Mallorca head coach Jagoba Arrasate confronted the referee on the sideline, but the explanation only fueled further frustration.
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A nightmare first half for Mallorca
The two-goal deficit wasn’t Mallorca’s only problem in the opening half as their hopes of clawing back into the game quickly unraveled. In the 33rd minute, Yamal won possession on the edge of the box before being brought down by Manu Morlanes. Already booked for protesting Torres’ goal, Morlanes was shown a second yellow and sent off.
Just two minutes later, disaster struck again. After a long ball over the top, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia rushed out to head the danger clear, only to be struck on the head by Vedat Muriqi’s boot. The referee initially showed a yellow card, but following a VAR review, it was upgraded to red, leaving Mallorca down to nine men by the 39th minute.
