“Let’s blow ’em up!” was Kirian’s locker room rallying cry, a fierce battle cry as he weaved past a defender, leaving him on the turf before delivering his blows. The scene is paradoxical: the Canaries looked unprepared, yet Canary Islands fans roared in Yellow in the stands during the clash with Real Madrid, echoing coach García Pimienta’s words and the home team’s fighting spirit.
Ancelotti shuffled his Real Madrid lineup, starting with a reserve-heavy XI. Fran García’s inclusion signaled the plan to add Ceballos, Camavinga, and Brahim to the attack, while Bellingham stayed in a central role at the end of the lineup. Álvaro Valles and Lunin shared goalkeeping duties, each stepping into a challenging night for the keepers.
Hypnotize or revolutionize
The visitors pressed high, insisting on ball possession as the whites tried to unlock the Canary defense. Marvin pressed Nacho in the opening moments, and Molinero looked uneasy between the lines. Yet there was a deep respect on the field, and neither Kirian nor Brahim found space in the first half. Rodrygo opened the scoring arc, but Valles stretched to deny him with a decisive leg save. Las Palmas targeted Mika Mármol, Álex Suárez, and Kirian, yet Camavinga and Ceballos disrupted those ideas. The home side maintained a measured tempo, trying to slow Madrid’s rhythm and disrupt their rondos, inviting Madrid to nap through the middle spell.
There were few clear-cut chances in the first half, with a lot of patient passing. García Pimienta’s plan could not fully nullify Madrid’s high pressing, which forced three shots on target in the period, none of which posed a major danger. Las Palmas attacked from the right flank where Marvin found space, while Vinicius Jr. did not receive adequate support at times and Kroos looked to stretch the line. Munir and Sandro showed limited impact in the duel. The 0-0 halftime score felt fair and reflective of the balance on display.
Goals by Javi Muñoz and Vinicius
The second half began with Lunin producing a spectacular save after Munin’s shot, a necessary moment as Las Palmas showed they could hurt the visitors. The home side started to take more initiative, and Sandro produced a key run, outrunning Rudiger as Nacho and Kroos scrambled to recover. Javi Muñoz, aligning with Madrid’s academy, struck from close range after the rebound, putting Madrid ahead. Carvajal added a second soon after but the buildup was offside, ruling out the touch and canceling Madrid’s third for the moment.
Las Palmas refused to surrender. Madrid had not kept a clean sheet in long stretches and faced a real test to protect the lead. The Whites pushed again, bringing on Joselu and Valverde, and the hosts began to find gaps. Vinicius tested Valles with a long-range strike that sailed into the stands on the first attempt, then struck again with a precise left-footed finish after a superb Camavinga through ball, leveling the score. Vinicius found space behind Las Palmas’ defense, and Álex Suárez’s support became crucial as Madrid pressed high, lifting the tempo and creating renewed danger.
Madrid shifted the attack toward the Valles area as García Pimienta’s side fought to hold the draw. The home defense buckled for a moment, creating anxiety during the closing quarter of an hour. The breakthrough did not come from the right flank, but from the left corner as Tchouaméni escaped attention and headed in from Kroos’s set piece at the near post, restoring Madrid’s lead and sealing the result. Real Madrid woke up just in time, scoring after a late Las Palmas surge.
From to victory ☄️⚽️@atchouameni and a header documenting Real Madrid’s return to Las Palmas. #LALIGAEASPORTS #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/0AMEOwxzNY
— Football on Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarFutbol) January 27, 2024
Data sheet:
1 – UD Las Palmas: Valleys; Marvin; Suárez, Mármol, S.Cardona; Javi Muñoz, Perrone, Kirian; Munir, Moleiro, Sandro.
2-Real Madrid: Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Fran García; Camavinga, Kroos, Ceballos; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinícius.
Goals: 1-0, min.53: Javi Muñoz. 1-1, min.66: Vinícius. 1-2, min.84: Tchouaméni.
Judge: Soto Grado. In UD Las Palmas, Kirian received a yellow card at 55, Javi Muñoz 82, Perrone 90+6; Rodrygo 5 and Mendy 90+7 for Real Madrid; Tchouameni 90+9.
Stadium: Gran Canaria Stadium, 32,037 spectators.
Events: A minute’s silence was held for Sevilla fans who died in a traffic accident while traveling to Madrid to watch the match on January 25.