UD Las Palmas survived the pressure at Mendizorroza in a clash that produced plenty of chances but ended 0-1 on a Saturday marked by the sixteenth round of LaLiga EA Sports.
The Islanders showed intent early, and the visitors pressed high, yet the breakthrough came from Kirian Rodriguez’s long-range strike in the 31st minute. He caught Antonio Sivera off guard, curling from outside the box to give Alavés the lead before the break.
That early goal didn’t settle any nerves. Las Palmas continued to attack in bursts, while Alavés held firm, using quick transitions and disciplined defending to keep the scoreline in their favor. The Yellow Submarine faced a test, and the steely defense behind their goalkeeper kept them within reach until halftime.
The home side did not abandon their plan of looking for chances on the break, with Abde Rebbach readily taking on responsibility in the first spell. His involvement energized Alavés and sparked several promising moves that kept Las Palmas honest and the atmosphere tense. A long-range attempt from Abde Rebbach grazed a corner, signaling the level of urgency in Mendizorroza.
García Pimienta’s squad stuck to a possession-oriented approach, seeking to control tempo and create openings, while Alavés selected moments to strike on the counter and press whenever the ball could be won high up the pitch.
♂️ A high-energy moment in the stands celebrated the effort from Alvaro Valles’s side and underscored the home crowd’s belief that the match could swing either way. The left flank emerged as a key area for Las Palmas, with Marc Cardona repeatedly probing down that wing in search of a moment of individual brilliance and a route to goal.
The visitors did not abandon their forward mindset. Las Palmas moved the ball quickly through the middle and exploited width, while Alavés responded with vertical plays and steady work in midfield to frustrate the advancing runs and deny clear chances on target.
Álvaro Valles remained a constant presence for Las Palmas, repelling attempts and making decisive saves when the ball found contact in dangerous areas. The breakthrough required composure, and Las Palmas showed it as the clock ticked toward the final stages of the first half, with Kirian Rodríguez’s shot shaping the game and setting the stage for a critical moment just before the break.
The goal to level the score arrived after a patient buildup on the right side, culminating in a measured finish by Kirian that pierced the defense and left Sivera with little chance. The equalizer arrived in a frame that kept the tie open, leaving both teams with everything to play for after the break.
After the restart, Alavés pushed again. They crafted a sequence that looked like a breakthrough when an offside decision—confirmed by the officials after a sharp finish—ruled out what would have given them the lead. Mendizorroza erupted, then paused as the VAR review clarified that the scoring touch could not stand for millimeter lines of offside, leaving the match tied on the board.
Call @UDLP_Official for a second game and another bold push. The message echoed across social media as fans awaited the next set of highlights and closer play that would decide the result, with the federation posting a reminder of the ongoing drama in LaLiga.
Alavés did not retreat. They continued to press and test Las Palmas, often choosing to play with the goalkeeper involved in build-up, a risk they occasionally flirted with in an attempt to swing momentum in their favor. The Canary Islands side stayed disciplined, maintaining a patient, structured approach that kept the visitors in the game and left room for a late surge.
A renewed assessment of the match showed a relentless duel in which the Basque hosts dominated certain phases while the visitors, with their smart positioning and timely runs, created enough danger to threaten a late victory. A cross from the left found a flash of contact, but the ball did not nestle in the net, and the post became a common word in the closing minutes as shots rained in from both sides.
The final moments belonged to a siege from Alavés, who sought to clinch a late equalizer. They pressed with persistence, firing off shots and generating frantic activity inside the box, yet Las Palmas held firm, their defense repelling corner after corner and maintaining grip on the result. In a match where chances existed at both ends, the final whistle confirmed a hard-fought victory for Las Palmas, a result that boosted their standing and left Alavés with work to do to climb the table.
Overall, the match delivered a vivid snapshot of LaLiga’s competitive spirit, with two tactical blueprints colliding and a late moment of controversy adding a final twist to an already intense afternoon of football.