Japan forward Takuma Asano scored for the second straight home game as Mallorca came from behind for a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol in Spanish La Liga football on Saturday.
Asano, left out of Japan’s initial squad for the upcoming home World Cup qualifiers, met a cross from the left with a diving header to level for Mallorca in the 65th minute at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.
Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi had headed into his own net off a 53rd-minute corner, and the Kosovan forward was unable to convert a subsequent penalty before Asano equalized.
Mallorca’s Takuma Asano (L) celebrates with Sergi Darder after scoring during the second half of a Spanish La Liga football match against Espanyol at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on March 15, 2025. (Kyodo)
In a chaotic ending, Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia made his second penalty save, this time from Abdon Prats, but he was made to face another spot kick after the referee ordered a retake. Muriqi earned redemption by burying the winner from the spot deep into stoppage time.
“When we fell behind, we didn’t give up and kept trying,” Asano said, as quoted by Mallorca’s official website. “The majority of the game was difficult, but we kept going and played well.”
Mallorca’s Takuma Asano (L) takes a shot during the first half of a Spanish La Liga football match against Espanyol at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on March 15, 2025. (Kyodo)
Asano had opened his account with a fine volley against Alaves on March 2 for Mallorca, who sit seventh in the table.
In Germany, Ritsu Doan set up Lukas Kubler’s 79th-minute leveler with a low cross from the left as Freiburg drew 2-2 at 10-man Mainz in the Bundesliga.
Freiburg’s Ritsu Doan (L) and Mainz’s Kaishu Sano hug after a German Bundesliga football match at Mewa Arena in Mainz, Germany, on March 15, 2025. (Kyodo)
Japanese midfielder Kaishu Sano played the full 90 minutes for Mainz, continuing his run of starting every game for the team, who currently sit third on 45 points, three points ahead of sixth-place Freiburg.
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, whose goal against Chelsea on Feb. 14 was named the English Premier League’s goal of the month, had a goal ruled out for a foul in his 100th appearance for the club as they drew 2-2 at Manchester City.
Brighton sit seventh and remain in contention to qualify for next season’s European competitions.
Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma (R) dribbles the ball during an English Premier League football match against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, on March 15, 2025. (Kyodo)
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