Las Palmas loses a point in the 90th minute from a penalty (1-2)
UD Las Palmas bid farewell to the first half of the season with a home defeat against FC Barcelona (1-2), in front of 31,712 spectators. The yellows managed to take the lead through a goal by Munir and had numerous opportunities to extend their lead before halftime. However, in the second half, the visiting team scored. First, with a shot from Ferrán Torres, and finally, in an unfortunate play that ended with a penalty and the expulsion of the Dutch Sinkgraven. The 1-2 came from the penalty spot converted by Gundogan.
UD Las Palmas reaches the halfway point of the championship with 25 points, securing a part of the survival they still have to fight for in the remaining 19 matches of the season.
The García Pimienta team showed personality throughout the night, believing they could close the day with an invigorating victory, a victory that seemed within their grasp for much of the game.
The first significant note of the Thursday match was the inclusion of Alberto Moleiro in UD Las Palmas' starting eleven. Coach Xavi García Pimienta had hinted at this possibility the day before, surprised by the improvement in the injured shoulder of the player from Tenerife in recent days.
Las Palmas analyzed for a few minutes the type of match they faced against an opponent eager to dominate possession. However, soon the night turned in favor of the yellows when the first local attempt ended in the nets of Iñaki Peña.
The play started on the right and ended with a shot into the net. Sandro delivered a through ball to his teammate Munir, who managed to anticipate the Catalan goalkeeper to deflect the ball into the net in front of the Naciente Stand.
The yellow goal brought joy to the Gran Canaria Stadium because the team not only faced such a powerful rival but also found the first solution to opening the match with a goal.
Las Palmas executed their game plan confidently, probing new spaces when managing to breach the blaugrana lines. After several attempts, Sandro came very close to scoring the 2-0 in the 27th minute of the first half. The play had started with a save by Peña, and on the rebound, Sandro struck the ball with power, hitting the Barcelona post. In the process, Koundé just managed to deflect the ball off its trajectory.
The second half took a different turn, altering the flow of the game. Barcelona quickly leveled the game with a goal from Ferrán Torres in the 55th minute. Las Palmas ventured less into the opponent's area, entering an extensive phase of wear and substitutions. And just when it seemed the match was heading for a draw, the penalty incident occurred, which Gundogan capitalized on to seal the night in favor of the Catalan team.
