Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Las Palmas in the Canary Islands, reclaiming the top spot in the Spanish league. In a first half marked by a deadlock between two solid defenses, Las Palmas midfielder Javi Muñoz broke the stalemate in the 53rd minute with a goal assisted by Sandro Ramírez.
Vinícius Júnior leveled the score in the 66th minute, capitalizing on an excellent assist from Eduardo Camavinga. The late substitute, Aurélien Tchouaméni, sealed the comeback with a powerful header in the 84th minute.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that his team didn't deliver a spectacular performance but commended their effectiveness against a resilient Las Palmas. The victory propelled Madrid two points ahead of Girona, with an extra game in hand, as they look forward to Girona's match against Celta Vigo on Sunday.
The absence of top scorer Jude Bellingham, serving a one-game suspension, didn't deter Madrid. Despite Las Palmas exceeding expectations as a newly-promoted team from the second division, the strategic shift by Camavinga and Vinícius disrupted the host's defensive solidity.
Las Palmas, coached by Francisco García Pimienta, a former Barcelona youth coach, had been defensively sound, relying on possession rather than packing the area. However, Madrid's second-half resurgence, orchestrated by Camavinga and executed by Vinícius and Tchouaméni, proved decisive.
The match initially featured a defensive battle, with Madrid having the best defensive record in the league and Las Palmas closely following. Sandro Ramírez initiated Las Palmas' breakthrough in the second half with a counterattack, setting up Muñoz for the opening goal.
Despite a solid start by Las Palmas, Madrid's attacking prowess emerged with Camavinga's creative play, leading to Vinícius' equalizer. The relentless pressure from Madrid paid off when Tchouaméni, a late substitute, met Toni Kroos' corner kick with a decisive header, securing the crucial three points.
In the post-match comments, Muñoz acknowledged Las Palmas' solid first half but lamented their inability to maintain the lead after Madrid's response. Barcelona, trailing Madrid by 10 points, awaited their late-night clash against Villarreal.
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