Las Palmas earned a painful victory against Granada at the Gran Canaria Stadium on the sixth matchday of the 2023-2024 La Liga season, doing so with ten players on the field. Kirian Rodríguez secured the win with a decisive goal in stoppage time, sealing a 1-0 result for the home side in a dramatic finale.
Las Palmas showed early dominance, controlling the first half and pressing Granada high, but they struggled to convert pressure into clear scoring chances in the final meters. The second half followed a similar script until Granada shifted gears, matching the intensity of their hosts and becoming bolder in the attacking zones. A VAR-assisted penalty and a red card for Mika Mármol shifted the balance in favor of Paco López’s side and prompted optimism of a late comeback for the visitors, yet the momentum swung again just as the match seemed to tilt away from the locals.
Even with Granada enjoying the numerical advantage after the expulsion, Las Palmas did not buckle. Coach García Pimienta made proactive changes by bringing on Marvin Park and Sory Kaba, players who injected pace and creativity into the attack. The tactical adjustments paid off as Las Palmas extended their influence in Granada’s half, creating danger through sustained possession and calculated runs.
Moments of high tension punctuated the closing stages. Sergi Cardona and Sory Kaba tested André Ferreira, and the eventual breakthrough came when Kirian Rodríguez found space with a precise finish from the far post area, catching the goalkeeper off guard and wrapping up the match after a patient buildup from the Canary Islands side.
Minute by minute: Las Palmas vs. Granada from La Liga EA Sports 2023-2024
The live summary covered a game that remained fraught with controversy, with several decisions scrutinized by both benches. Early on, a goal by Munir El Haddadi was ruled out for an irregular position, while another attempt by the same player was disallowed for offside later in the game. A late 21st minute disallowed goal added to the tension, as officials checked a sequence involving a deflected ball and an offside assessment. These moments kept the crowd on edge as the match progressed.
The tactical microphone picked up a nervy atmosphere as the match evolved. Las Palmas tried to increase tempo, pushing higher up the pitch and seeking quick transitions. Granada, meanwhile, held a compact shape, looking for counterattacking opportunities as the clock wound down. In the end, the disciplined approach of Las Palmas paid off with Rodríguez’s late winner, a goal that reflected patience, persistence, and a willingness to seize chances when they appeared.
Lineups reflected strategic choices from both benches. Las Palmas rolled out two changes for the starting XI, adding Perrone and Pejiño to an otherwise familiar setup and opting for a 4-5-1 formation. The home side lined up with Álvaro Vallés, Sergi Cardona, Mika Marmol, Alex Suárez, Julián Araújo, Munir El Haddadi, Jonathan Viera, Enzo Loiodice, Kirian Rodríguez, Pejiño, and Máximo Perrone. Injuries trimmed the squad, with Sandro Ramírez missing through injury while Alberto Moleiro, Fabio González, and Benito Ramírez were unavailable.
Granada, fresh off a win against Girona, made four changes to their starting XI. André Ferreira started in goal, flanked by Carlos Neva, Raúl Torrent, Ignasi Miquel, and Ricard Sánchez. The midfield trio consisted of Gerard Gumbau, Sergio Ruiz, and Óscar Melendo, with Antonio Puertas, Myrto Uzuni, and Lucas Boyé forming the attacking line. Manager Paco López also shuffled the bench, with Miki Bosch, Josñe Callejón, Víctor Díaz, Famara Diedhiou, Álvaro Fernandez, Raúl Fernández, Wilson Manafá, Alberto Perea, Njegos Petrovic, Gonzalo Villar, and Bryan Zaragoza among the options.
Source: Goal [Goal]