Las Palmas Drops Points to Mallorca in a Frenetic Second Half (2-3)
UD Las Palmas lost 2-3 to Real Mallorca this Saturday in a match decided in a dramatic second half. The visitors initially led 0-2, but Portuguese players Essugo and Fabio Silva restored hope by leveling the score at 2-2. However, the referee awarded a foul in the home side's box after a seemingly resolved play. Mojica scored the decisive goal from an indirect free kick taken just meters from Cillessen's position. The final play sparked controversy among the home players, who disagreed with the referee's decision.
Diego Martínez made two changes to the starting lineup compared to the team that had won in Vallecas before the FIFA break. José Campaña and Manu Fuster featured in the starting eleven, joining a familiar core from recent games.
From the outset, the match showcased a tactical standoff as both sides worked to neutralize each other's strategies, particularly in the build-up phase. Las Palmas struggled to find paths into the opposing box, though they created the first three chances of the game. In the 7th minute, Fuster sent a cross-shot across the box. Later, in the 27th minute, Fabio Silva hit the post in what turned out to be the best opportunity of the first half. Sandro followed up with a shot that Greif managed to deflect for a corner.
Most of the battle took place in midfield, with possession tightly contested. Despite their efforts, Las Palmas went into halftime empty-handed. Conversely, Cillessen had a calm first half, dealing with a few crosses into his box, while his defenders effectively neutralized aerial balls aimed at Vedat Muriqi. The striker managed only one header, which sailed over the bar.
The second half started disastrously for the home side. In the visitors' first attacking move, Mateu drove into the box and set up Dani Rodríguez for a simple close-range finish to make it 0-1. This early goal disrupted Diego Martínez's carefully laid plans.
Things worsened shortly after when a quick counterattack saw Robert Navarro extend Mallorca's lead to 0-2 with a precise finish.
Refusing to give up, Las Palmas fought back late in the match to equalize. Essugo reignited hope with a long-range strike that found the back of Greif’s net. Then, Fabio Silva converted a penalty, awarded for a handball by Muriqi, to make it 2-2.
However, the drama wasn’t over. VAR alerted the referee to an incident in the Las Palmas box. After reviewing the play, the referee sent off Muriqi, booked Mata, and awarded an indirect free kick. Mojica capitalized on this chance, sealing the game at 2-3 and leaving Las Palmas frustrated with the officiating.
