Las Palmas Surges to 2-0 Victory Over Valencia in a Sharp Finish
UD Las Palmas defeated Valencia 2-0 thanks to a late double by a defender. Álex Suárez struck in the 89th minute from a cross delivered from the left by Marc Cardona, as the Catalan forward also found space to score in extra time. Those strikes propelled the Yellow Submarine into European contention, and their ongoing fight for safety seemed increasingly assured.
The late goals settled a hard-fought contest. Las Palmas had recovered in the second half, gradually overcoming Valencia, yet the goal threat remained sparse and the three points looked perilously close to slipping away at the final whistle.
The first half looked balanced, with intent shown from both sides but limited clear chances. The game was intense, with many duels and few fruitful openings, most shots coming from distance and lacking precision.
Las Palmas had a plan that leaned on patient buildup and quick, accurate transitions. Valencia did not surprise with a more direct approach. Javi Muñoz tested Mamardashvili with a low effort, but the goalkeeper handled it with ease in the early moments of the match.
Valencia aimed to puncture Las Palmas’ defense and, early on, Álvaro Valles helped keep the scoreline level with a sprawling save after Pepelu struck from midfield in the 16th minute. The visitors also had threatened through Camirа, whose header just before the half-hour mark required a sharp intervention to deny a potential lead for Valencia.
After the break, Baraja’s side pressed higher, raising the tempo yet still leaving Las Palmas with moments of danger. The home side managed to carry more of the match’s weight, but a clear finishing touch remained elusive as Valencia defended resolutely.
Peter Federico made his Valencia debut as the match reached its critical phase. The visitors’ attacking burst intensified through Munir and Sandro, signaling a shift in momentum, even as Las Palmas fought to maintain control and momentum.
Subsequent substitutions gave Baraja’s team extra momentum. Jesús Vázquez had two notable chances in the 76th minute: first volleying in a cross from Foulquier, then trying to thread a pass to an onrushing teammate which Mika Mármol managed to deflect away. Valles was forced into a reflex stop to keep the score level.
The arrival of Rodri Moleiro provided renewed energy for Las Palmas. In the final phase, Álex Suárez met Cardona’s cross from the left with a precise header, scoring his first goal in La Liga and giving Las Palmas the lead they had sought all evening.
In stoppage time, Cardona again played a pivotal role as he stood between the Las Palmas attacker and Valencia’s goalkeeper, delivering the ball into the net to seal the result. The late breakthrough broke Valencia’s resistance and left Las Palmas on the brink of continental qualification.
Note: A social post from the club and accompanying media coverage confirmed the dramatic late finish and the celebratory mood inside the stadium as Las Palmas closed out the win and extended their surge toward a European spot.
Post-match observations highlighted Las Palmas’s improved balance and resilience after a tense 90 minutes. The debuting talents and fresh energy from the substitutes proved decisive in a match that swung on the final acts, underscoring the team’s season-long growth amid a demanding schedule.