On Saturday, UD Las Palmas dropped out of the direct promotion spots to La Liga. In a derby dominated by the blue and white side from the start, the Gran Canaria team returned from Santa Cruz with a bleak scoreline. The yellow team was defeated 4-1 by CD Tenerife, with Enric Gallego scoring two goals and Waldo adding another in 45 minutes of true football torture. The game became very difficult in the first half, with a 3-0 scoreline. Alvaro Jiménez scored a goal in the final sprint to shorten the distance, and a penalty against UD Las Palmas in extra time sealed the defeat.
The derby defeat, however, does not signal the end of the season, as there are still ten regular season games remaining to determine the final positions, with 30 points on the line, beginning with a home game against Sporting Gijón at the Gran Canaria Stadium.
The derby couldn't have started any worse for UD Las Palmas, who fell behind 2-0 after only five minutes. The first two shots of the Santa Cruz afternoon were saved by Alvaro Valles. The first came from outside the box in the first 15 seconds. And the second, 5 minutes later, on a counterattack.
Both goals were scored by Enric Gallego. The yellow team struggled to find their footing in the match against an opponent who came out firing to take an early and comfortable lead.
The away team players struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, particularly in defense against an opponent who took advantage of their counterattacking play. Tenerife had several more chances before Waldo Ramos scored with a cross-shot between Valles' legs just before halftime.
García Pimienta looked to the bench before the start of the second half. Three changes at once: Fabio, Kaptoum, and Andone for Mfulu, Loiodice, and Loren. The coach was looking for a reaction with new players, without changing the essence of the tactical setup.
Las Palmas had more possession in the second half, but the goal that reduced the gap came with just ten minutes left, in a corner kick that was finished off by Álvaro Jiménez.
In extra time, Tenerife scored the fourth goal of the match from a penalty, converted by Nacho, to re-establish the three-goal deficit that was already present at halftime.
