RC Celta returns to Vigo empty-handed from the Estadio de Gran Canaria after falling to UD Las Palmas in the final moments of a tense match.
Both teams, tied on points in the standings, approached this game intensely from the start. The Canaries, ambitious and pushing their lines forward, had a dangerous chance when the first quarter-hour of the match was reached. The Estadio de Gran Canaria was ready to celebrate a goal, but a connected and efficient Iván Villar dashed the hopes of the home team.
From there, the Celestes (RC Celta) created numerous opportunities to take the lead. In the 28th minute, Jonathan Bamba initiated the clearest chance for the Vigo team. The Ivorian took a shot, and after Álvaro Vallés’ save, Strand Larsen hit the crossbar.
Rafa Benítez’s team didn’t give up, and it was minutes later, in the 36th minute, when Larsen scored the first goal of the game with a cross shot that the Canary Islands’ goalkeeper couldn’t stop. Joy for the Celestes, but not for long. After consulting VAR, Alberola Rojas decided to disallow Larsen’s goal due to a previous foul between Douvikas and Mármol. A decision not without controversy, punishing Celta at their best moment and leading to halftime with a score of 0-0.
At the start of the second half, the Celestes took to the field determined to fight for the long-awaited victory. In the early moments, Celta displayed an unbreakable defense and offensive power that exploited the spaces left open by García Pimienta’s team. An insistent Larsen became the nightmare of the Las Palmas defense, and in the 59th minute, he almost scored, hitting the post with a shot. A warning of what was to come, as minutes later, in a counterattack led by Jonathan Bamba, Douvikas beat an advanced Álvaro Vallés and finally scored the first goal for the Celestes. It was the second goal in La Liga EA Sports for the Greek, who was making his first start tonight.
We entered the final stretch of the match when the referee awarded a penalty in favor of the Canaries. A play that completely changed the course of the game. Las Palmas captain, Jonathan Viera, stepped up to take it, and despite the fact that Iván Villar read his intentions correctly, the Canary Islands native equalized the game for his team.
There were seven minutes of added time. Seven minutes in which the game broke open. The tempo increased during this final stretch, and the ball began to move rapidly between the two penalty areas. Nevertheless, in the 97th minute, Marc Cardona found the winning goal that kept the three points in Gran Canaria and left Celta cold and empty-handed.
Now it’s time to think about next Sunday when RC Celta will host Getafe CF at Abanca Balaídos at 6:30 PM in a new La Liga EA Sports match.
Match Details:
UD Las Palmas 2 – 1 RC Celta
UD Las Palmas: Álvaro Valles; Sergi Cardona, Mika Mármol, Álex Suárez, Julián Araujo (Álvaro Lemos, min. 32); Pejiño (Marc Cardona, min. 77), E. Loiodice (Perrone, min. 77), Kirian Rodríguez, Javi Muñoz (Jonathan Viera, min.63), Munir; Sory Kaba (Marvin Park, min. 63).
RC Celta: Iván Villar; Ó. Mingueza,, Joseph Aidoo, Carl Starfelt, Unai Núñez, Manu Sánchez; Carlos Dotor, Fran Beltrán (Hugo Sotelo, min. 88); Jonathan Bamba, Strand Larsen (Williot Swedberg, min. 88), and Tasos Douvikas (Iago Aspas, min. 69).
Goals: 0-1 Tasos Douvikas (min. 67); 1-1 Jonathan Viera (min. 84); 2-1 Marc Cardona (min. 97)
Referee: Alberola Rojas. The referee showed a yellow card to Carl Starfelt, while for UD Las Palmas, Mika Mármol and Marc Cardona were booked.
Incidents: Match corresponding to the eighth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports held at the Estadio de Gran Canaria.
