Tenerife edged a narrow victory over UD Las Palmas in a tense playoff clash, seizing control of the match when it mattered most. While the host slightly dominated the first half, Las Palmas managed to take the lead on the scoreboard thanks to a moment of precision, with yellow defender Mfulu playing a part in the defensive sequence that kept Tenerife from going ahead early on.
At the kickoff, the game appeared cautious, with both sides cautious about losing. As the minutes ticked by, the tension rose, transforming the encounter into a battle of nerves. The final ten minutes delivered a flurry of activity, marked by dangerous incursions and rapid transitions that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
The tactical balance began to tilt in the second half as the yellow team asserted more control. They pushed forward with intent, pressing higher and probing the Las Palmas defensive line, gradually closing the distance to the visitors’ goal and generating increased danger in the final third.
END #TenerifeLasPalmas 1-0
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The game favored the resolute and unpretentious approach of Tenerife, who benefited from a moment of opportunism in the 27th minute when Jonathan Viera, collecting the ball through a blend of skill and arrangement, crafted a promising scoring opportunity. His effort was cleared off the goal line by Moore after coming perilously close to the net, with Soriano failing to keep the line intact.
In response, Tenerife quickly answered. Alexander delivered a cross from the right that Enric Gallego directed to the area in front of the goal, where Valles made a remarkable save. The rebound carried to an almost identical position, where Leon found the back of the net, only for Mfulu to clear before the ball crossed the line, denying Tenerife the lead.
As the first half developed, the closing minutes turned into a fever pitch. Enric Gallego unleashed a shot that was denied by Soriano, and just moments later José León found Jesé in a near-post position, forcing Soriano into another key intervention as the ball narrowly slipped past the goalkeeper’s reach.
With the interval reached, the teams left the pitch to a chorus of chants and a palpable sense that the match could swing in either direction. The game resumed with a similar tactical framework but a noticeably quicker tempo, the yellows pressing forward with renewed vigor as soon as play resumed. Tenerife looked to execute their plan aggressively, while Las Palmas sought to exploit counterattacks as soon as the ball was recovered.
From the early stages of the second half, Tenerife launched a sustained period of pressure, surprising Las Palmas with intelligent movement and compact defense. The visitors, unable to fully stifle the home side, began to concede ground and find themselves pinned back inside their own half. This shift in momentum marked a turning point as Tenerife created more chances and threatened the goal with consistent attacks.
As the match approached the 69th minute, Soriano produced a critical stop to deny a promising effort from the home team, and shortly afterward Kirian tested the forward line with a powerful attempt that skewed wide. Although Las Palmas carried some ambition into the final stretch, they could not break the deadlock, leaving Tenerife with the lead and a celebratory mood among their supporters at the final whistle.
Data sheet:
1 – CD Tenerife: Soriano; Moore, Carlos Ruiz, Jose Leon, Mello; Mollejo (Pomares, m.89), Alexander (Sergio González, m.65), Aitor Sanz, Bermejo (Elady, m.70); Mario González (Andrés, m.65) and Enric Gallego.
0 – UD Las Palmas: Alvaro Valles; Lemos, Eric Curbelo, Raul Navas, Cardona; Kiriam, Mfulu, Jonathan Viera, Moleiro (Pejiño, art. 78); Mújica (Maikel, m.62) and Jese (Rober, m.62).
Goals: 1-0, M.36: Jose Leon.
Judge: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva (Galicia Regional Committee). The local warned Moore (m.53).
Events: The first leg of the LaLiga SmartBank Promotion Playoff semi-final was played at the Heliodoro Rodríguez López stadium in front of 19,732 spectators.