Muriqi hat-trick sends Son Moix into a frenzy: Real Mallorca secures first win of 2026

Muriqi hat-trick sends Son Moix into a frenzy

Real Mallorca celebrates their first win of the year against Athletic Bilbao

Last night Son Moix was far from quiet: drums, the occasional clucking from the snack stalls and the dull thump of hundreds of shoes on the steps – and in the end a 3-2 that many here will remember for a long time. Vedat Muriqi was the man of the evening. Three goals, and Mallorca took the three points home. Similar scenes at the ground have been described before in Son Moix respira: Real Mallorca consigue la primera victoria de la temporada ante Alavés.

The match started stormily. Already after five minutes the net rippled – an early goal that put a smile on the faces of spectators in the main stand and those sipping coffee at the kiosks outside the stadium. The hosts looked driven, searching the spaces behind the defence and were rewarded for it.

But Bilbao remained persistent. Even after the early deficit Athletic had their moments, played plainly and repeatedly posed a threat. But the momentum swung in Mallorca's favour: in the 71st minute Athletic had to play with one fewer player after Guruzeta saw red. From then on more spaces opened up – and Muriqi took advantage of them coldly.

What stood out in the stands was the mix of relief and childlike joy. Families from Palma, young men in red-and-white scarves and cyclists on work breaks who had popped in briefly cheered together. In front of the stadium it smelled of bratwurst and the sweet scent of warm churros; a vendor wiped his hands, laughed and called out: "Hoy sí!" — today yes.

For the club this win is more than just three points on the table. It's a small morale boost after a bumpy period, as seen in reports such as Mallorca celebra: la victoria 3-1 ante Elche trae alivio en Son Moix. On the island, where football is the number one topic of conversation — at the bar in Portixol, in the bakery on the Plaça, in the workshop on the edge of town — a result like this gives support. Players and coaches could see in the faces of the fans that the work on the pitch is paying off.

The focus now turns forward: next Sunday Son Moix sigue siendo caprichoso: 1:1 ante el Atlético y la pregunta central sobre la victoria en casa, kick-off at 14:00. A tricky task, no question. But the win against Bilbao shows that Mallorca can score even when the match becomes unsettled. The team now feels once again that they can achieve something together — and that transfers to the crowd. On the streets around Son Moix you'll feel the aftereffects in the coming days: fans discussing combinations, children imitating Muriqi's moves, and cafés where hope for better days grows.

Concrete hopes are allowed: going into preparations with confidence, drilling the match plan against strong opponents and maintaining the form of individual players — these are the building blocks that matter now. If the team preserves the lightness from this evening, they can surprise in Madrid or at least put in a brave performance.

And for everyone who wasn't at the stadium yesterday: the city breathed a sigh of relief, taxis drove more slowly, more people stopped at traffic lights to talk about the game. It's evenings like these that brighten Mallorca in weeks of gloomy news. A hat-trick brings statistics — and practically: hope, topics for conversation and a few mild hours in which the island simply celebrated football.

Key points in brief: Real Mallorca won 3-2 against Athletic Bilbao. Vedat Muriqi scored three goals. Athletic played with ten men from the 71st minute (Guruzeta red card). Next opponent: Atlético de Madrid, Sunday, 14:00.