Las Palmas loses at Mestalla due to VAR-awarded penalty (1-0)
UD Las Palmas returns from Valencia with their first official season defeat, losing 1-0 against Valencia. The match, played in front of over 40,000 spectators, witnessed different phases of dominance and opportunities. The Gran Canaria team had their chances but failed to find the net against Mamardashvili. Despite their efforts, Valencia secured victory with a penalty awarded after a VAR consultation.
In this second matchday, recent reinforcements Mika Mármol and Julián Araujo made their official debuts, with Mika starting as a titular player and Julián as a substitute.
The yellow-clad team endured the initial fervent attacks of Valencia, driven by their Mestalla crowd, during their first away game of the season. The early offensive actions were led by the home team, with Valles making two interventions against Hugo Duro and Diego López, and a deflected shot from Fran Pérez.
As time passed, UD Las Palmas began to show personality, aiming to take control of the game through associative play. Gradually, like a fine rain, García Pimienta's players started to unsettle their opponents. In the 14th minute, Viera connected with Mármol in the visitors' area, but the debutant's pass didn't reach Sandro, who was waiting at the mouth of the goal. Then, in the 24th minute, Loiodice threatened in the box, but the opposing defenders managed to thwart the action just as the Frenchman was about to shoot.
The momentum started tilting toward the home team's goal during those moments. However, Coach García Pimienta urged his players to finish their plays to capitalize on their dominance, which at times reached 66% possession in the first half.
The two best chances of the first half fell to both teams. In the 40th minute, Álvaro Valles once again thwarted Correia's opportunity, blocking the Valencia player's attempt with his body. Then, in the 44th minute, after a precise parabolic pass from Jonathan Viera, Munir El Haddadi failed to make contact with the ball (it passed between his legs) when he was facing Mamardashvili.
The balance of the game shifted in the second half. Although the scoreboard could have changed in the early minutes, Viera's shot in the 51st minute, following a deep pass from debutant Araujo, missed the target.
The scare went back and forth. In the 58th minute, Álvaro Valles rushed out to thwart Diego López's attempt. The La Rinconada goalkeeper once again disrupted the plans of the local attackers.
However, in a fateful turn of events, the VAR recommended the referee to award a penalty for a possible slight handball by Javi Muñoz. After reviewing the play, Iglesias Villanueva awarded the penalty, which Pepelu converted to score the decisive 1-0.
The final minutes were an onslaught in search of an equalizer. Benito attempted a direct free-kick that hit the post, after clearing the Valencia wall. However, the score remained unchanged despite the effort exerted throughout the second half's 55 minutes.
