Las Palmas takes down Rayo in Vallecas with grit and precision (1-3)
UD Las Palmas returns from Vallecas with a golden three points in the bag. The yellow squad secured a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, combining defensive sacrifice with sharp finishing. Diego Martínez's side, now in the survival zone, made every strike count, with goals from Fabio Silva, an own goal by Aridane, and a clinical finish by Manu Fuster.
The night in Vallecas kicked off with a scare. Just two minutes in, Alex Suárez misjudged a bounce, letting Sergio Camello slip into the box and fire a shot. Fortunately, it skimmed wide, narrowly missing Cillessen's goal.
But Las Palmas made no mistake on their first chance. After a corner, Fabio Silva headed it past Batalla for the opener—Las Palmas' first real attack, sparked by a precise cross from Sandro, with Silva managing to connect even while being held back in the box.
The 0-1 goal fueled the match, with action shifting end-to-end. Lejeune headed a corner off the crossbar at 12 minutes, followed by a close call from McKenna in the Rayo box. Fabio Silva was inches from connecting for a second goal.
Las Palmas had the lead but couldn't control the flow against a fired-up Rayo. Madrid’s side kept pushing, with a flurry of shots around the 30-minute mark—one by Chavarría, deflected by Cillessen, and another by Gumbau that almost snuck in.
Rayo fired off a relentless 15 shots in the first half (33 in total), while Las Palmas held tight, staying disciplined and pressing forward to catch Rayo’s defense off guard.
The second half kept the same rhythm: Rayo pushing, Las Palmas holding firm. Then, on the hour mark, Las Palmas doubled their lead from a corner. Sandro’s cross flew to the near post, where Aridane accidentally headed it into his own net, making it 0-2.
Las Palmas wasn’t done. Sensing 2-0 might not be enough, they struck again seven minutes later. Kirian set up Manu Fuster for a perfect counterattack, with Fuster breaking free and slotting a low, angled shot past the keeper for the third goal.
The Gran Canaria fans erupted, while silence fell over the home supporters. Efficiency was paying off for Diego Martínez's determined team.
The game unraveled in the closing minutes, with chances for both teams. Kirian, Jaime Mata, Fuster, and even McKenna, upfield for a counter, nearly found a fourth for Las Palmas.
Rayo eventually pulled one back in added time, with McKenna deflecting a De Frutos cross for a late consolation goal.
