Due to a penalty, Las Palmas falls to Rayo Vallecano (0-1)
UD Las Palmas lost three points against Rayo Vallecano this Sunday. The first defeat of the season at the Gran Canaria Stadium was sealed in the closing minutes, in an unfortunate play that Bebé converted into the only goal of the match from the penalty spot.
The yellow team played their cards and had the chance to take the lead in the first half. However, Munir's shot, also from the penalty spot, was denied by Dimitrievski's goalpost.
García Pimienta drew inspiration from the lineup that had performed successfully at La Cerámica, securing a victory against Villarreal. In the lineup, apart from Jonathan Viera's absence, one of the day's highlights was the first-time inclusion of Alberto Moleiro in the top category.
Las Palmas controlled the game from the early minutes, while Rayo Vallecano also awaited their chances through thefts. The first shots of the morning came from Coco, met by suitable responses from goalkeeper Dimitrievski. Pathe Ciss responded for Rayo at the 13-minute mark, firing a powerful shot off the goalpost. This ball and a subsequent attempt by De Tomás, close to the woodwork, created the first moments of unease for the yellows.
However, the goal came close around the half-hour mark. The referee awarded a penalty due to contact between the ball and the hand of defender Aridane Hernández, who blocked a shot from Sergi. Munir took the penalty, but Dimitrievski and the post returned the ball to the field.
Las Palmas had squandered a great opportunity to take the lead in a match that maintained uncertainty in the second half.
The game slowed down in the second half after some initial actions by the visitors. García Pimienta tried to change the pace of events with his suggestions from the bench. The introduction of Alberto Moleiro, making his debut in La Liga, also excited the fans.
It was Moleiro, a native of Tenerife, who created a dangerous opportunity for Rayo in the 74th minute, after a slalom on the left and a dangerous cross across the face of the goal without finding a local finisher.
The match seemed to be heading towards a draw when, after a chain of errors, Álex Suárez made contact with Trejo in the area, and the referee signaled the second penalty of the afternoon. Bebé converted it into the only goal of the game, although Álvaro Valles came close to blocking the shot.
