Las Palmas stun Barcelona 2-1 in win
Las Palmas achieved a remarkable victory over FC Barcelona, winning 2-1 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in a match that disrupted Barcelona’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
This unexpected outcome was significant for several reasons, including the implications for both teams in La Liga standings and the performance dynamics observed during the match.
The match took place on a Saturday afternoon, with Las Palmas taking an early lead in the second half. Sandro Ramirez scored first for Las Palmas after receiving a well-placed pass from Kirian Rodriguez, striking from the edge of the box to put his team ahead. This goal came as a surprise given Barcelona’s status as league leaders and their strong home advantage.
Barcelona responded quickly with an equalizer from Raphinha, who scored a powerful long-range shot shortly after Las Palmas took the lead. However, Las Palmas regained their advantage when Fabio Silva capitalized on a long ball from Javi Munoz, scoring his fifth goal in just eight league matches. This sequence of events highlighted both teams’ attacking capabilities but also underscored Barcelona’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Despite dominating possession—holding more than 70% of the ball—Barcelona struggled to convert this control into goals. The team’s inability to finish chances became apparent as they failed to capitalize on several opportunities throughout the match. Raphinha himself noted that while he was pleased with his goal, he was dissatisfied with the overall team performance and emphasized the need for improvement.
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Coach Hansi Flick expressed disappointment post-match, acknowledging that mistakes were made not only defensively but also in attack. He indicated that changes might be necessary to address these issues moving forward.
For Las Palmas, this victory marked their first away win against Barcelona since 1971, making it a historic moment for the club. The players demonstrated resilience and tactical discipline under pressure, particularly goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, who made crucial saves to maintain their lead during intense moments of play.
Midfielder Alberto Moleiro highlighted the importance of this win for his team, noting their hard work and determination against a formidable opponent like Barcelona. The victory allowed Las Palmas to climb up to 14th place in La Liga standings, providing them with vital momentum as they continue through the season.
