Data sheet
Las Palmas and Mallorca finished 1-1 at Gran Canaria Stadium on Saturday in a tense match that featured two penalties in the first half. Only one of Las Palmas’ penalties was converted, while Mallorca leveled late in the game as the vermilion side responded to several new signings, notably Sergi Darder, who joined late and did not expect to feature at Gran Canaria.
García Pimienta, the yellow-dark blue team’s coach, shuffled positions with Jonathan Viera acting as a false striker. The visitors rearranged with Marc Cardona and Sandro Ramírez pushed to the flanks to free the central defender and try to destabilize Las Palmas.
On the Mallorca bench, Javier Aguirre unleashed a largely new lineup and took charge as Las Palmas dominated early, pressing from the start to force a quick counterattack or a dangerous build-up to threaten the red team. The home side aimed to exploit speed or a direct play to test Rajkovic in goal.
Early on, the match carried a cautious tone with both sides probing. In the 21st minute, after a Maffeo win, Dani Rodríguez shot hit Valles’s right post and tested the Vermilion defense, which held strong and nearly opened the scoring again through Muriqi’s fine distribution near goal.
Las Palmas did take the lead moments later when Copete stepped on Sandro Ramírez’s foot inside the box, earning a penalty. Jonathan Viera converted with a clean strike into the upper corner, leaving Rajkovic with little chance and putting Las Palmas ahead in a lively first half.
Fans on social media shared reactions to Viera’s confident finish and the dramatic moment of the opening goal as Las Palmas sought to extend their advantage. A post from DAZN Spain captured the moment with excitement, highlighting Viera’s penalty and the early celebrations.
Moments later Mallorca had a chance from the spot as well after a handball decision, but Kirian Rodríguez’s effort from the right foot of Amath Ndiaye was saved, and the ball skimmed the crossbar. Mallorca continued to push for parity but found Aguirre’s side resilient at the back, and the first half concluded with the scoreline still in favor of Las Palmas.
At the end of the first half, a lengthy sequence of stoppage time brought another close call for Mallorca after Mallorca was flagged offside during a quick break, leaving the score unchanged as the whistle blew to end the opening period.
After the break, Aguirre acted decisively and brought on Sergi Darder, who immediately added energy and organization to the visitors. Raíllo also entered the fray, reshaping the defense and adding steel at the back, while the hosts adjusted to the new look with a more compact shape.
Álvaro Valles produced a superb one-on-one stop against Morlanes in the 51st minute, providing a crucial moment for Las Palmas as Darder began to influence the flow of play from midfield, offering a new attacking outlet for the visitors.
Mallorca pressed forward with Samu Costa and Larin entering later in the game, heightening the tension for Las Palmas as Mallorca dominated possession and created opportunities from set pieces. A Darder corner found Raíllo’s headed effort at the far post, with Muriqi and Samu Costa arriving in support to apply pressure on the home side’s defense.
A perfect ball from Sergi Darder set up Raíllo for a decisive header at the Gran Canaria Stadium, bringing Mallorca level as the clock ticked into the final moments. The visitors then threatened again with a late header from Muriqi off another set piece, just missing the target as the ball skimmed wide past the post in added time.
The end result left the sides sharing the spoils in a dramatic island derby that highlighted Mallorca’s late adjustment and Las Palmas’s early control. The match setup and the decision to award penalties shaped the contest, while the introduction of Darder added a new dimension to the visitors’ play and underscored the impact of fresh signings on a high-stakes La Liga encounter. The game took place before a large Gran Canaria crowd and included a moment of silence to honor fans and season ticket holders who passed away in the prior season.
(Photograph)