Las Palmas will play for promotion on the final matchday, at home (1-4).
UD Las Palmas fulfilled their role in Cartagena on Saturday. They won the match convincingly with a score of 1-4, and with the points earned, they will have the opportunity to rely on themselves once again in the final episode of the schedule, to be played at the Gran Canaria Stadium against Deportivo Alavés.
Loiodice, Sandro (twice), and Sergi Cardona, in collaboration with defender Olivas, were the scorers in a magical afternoon for the yellow team, who were supported by hundreds of traveling fans cheering for their players.
The first thing that the García Pimienta team had to demonstrate in Cartagonova was their team's winning mentality. The yellow players were soon forced to come back from the early blow of the afternoon, which came from Cartagena. Because the home team created a perfect combination in the 9th minute, with the final pass from De Blasis and a composed finish by Mikel Rico.
Those were minutes of nervousness and unease. The Gran Canaria players didn't seem comfortable on the field. And their opponent managed to press and create some dangerous plays, leading to the consolidation of the 1-0 score.
However, in the 14th minute, Enzo Loiodice also sent a message of calmness to the island fans. The Frenchman converted a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box into the equalizer, making it 1-1. He found space to strike the ball with strength and precision, leaving the local goalkeeper with no response.
Las Palmas had overcome a rough patch and would improve as the afternoon in Cartagonova went on. Another fantastic goal from the Canary Islands came in the 21st minute. Pejiño fought on the wing with determination to beat his marker and then played a deep pass towards Sandro's run. The Gran Canaria striker also won the battle and shot with determination, beating the goalkeeper Aarón as well.
The yellows were already in control with the 1-2 score. The game was also going according to García Pimienta's plan. And even more so when, in the 36th minute, Sergi Cardona contributed to the 1-3 with another shot from outside the box. The ball deflected off two local defenders and surprised the goalkeeper Aarón, who watched it go over his head and into the Efesé's net.
Along the way, goalkeeper Aarón had denied a couple more opportunities from Alex Suárez and Sandro in the first half, while the referee correctly disallowed a header from Alfredo Ortuño that would have meant the 2-2 score. But the former yellow player was in an offside position.
Las Palmas managed to cool down the game in the second half, with a performance that declined significantly. The visitors were more interested in the clock running faster than the ball. There were hardly any events in either penalty area during this period. And the only additional goal was also for the yellows, after Kirian and Sandro combined in a counter-attack certified by the Gran Canaria player.
With the score at 1-4, all that was left was to wait for the outcomes in other scenarios, where the results placed Granada in the lead (72 points), Las Palmas in second (71 points), Alavés in third (70 points), Levante in fourth (69 points), Éibar in fifth (68 points), and Albacete in sixth (64 points) for the positions that will determine the three tickets to the First Division. Las Palmas has the chance to do it directly