Valencia secured a 1-0 victory over UD Las Palmas at Mestalla on the second matchday of La Liga 2023-24, signaling early momentum and a clear plan to control the pace from kickoff.
Relive the Valencia versus Las Palmas clash from La Liga 2023-24.
Under Baraja, the side opened the campaign with a bold display, venturing into the challenging atmosphere of Sánchez Pizjuán and leaving Seville with three points in hand.
Videos, lineups and news from Valencia vs. Las Palmas in La Liga
In stoppage time, Mamardashvili produced a sharp stop to deny Pejiño from distance, his left-footed drive bending toward the corner before the Georgian keeper secured the ball. Officials signaled additional time as the clock passed 90 minutes and four seconds.
Ten minutes of extra time intensified the pressure, giving Las Palmas a late chance to snatch something from the game.
At 74 minutes, Valencia found the breakthrough when a midfielder converted a crucial penalty, driving the ball straight through the center past Vallés, who had committed to stopping to his left. Pepelu’s finish sparked a brief Valencia eruption as the home side took the lead.
A minute earlier, at 72, Valencia were awarded a penalty after Javi Múñoz appeared to handle the ball amid a clearance by Las Palmas. The inadvertent handball disrupted the visitors’ defensive shape and opened the door for Valencia.
By the 65th minute the tempo shifted. Possession in the second half balanced more evenly, yet Valencia pressed higher whenever possible while Las Palmas looked to keep the ball and strike on the counter.
At 56 minutes, Diego López nearly unlocked the game after a rapid sequence from Javi Guerra on Valencia’s flank. A one-on-one with Vallés ended in a near miss as the keeper stretched to save, with the final touch steering the ball away.
In the 51st minute, Las Palmas had a clear chance as Viera gathered a pass after a Valencia foul and fired from inside the box, but his effort rose over the bar.
As the first half concluded, both teams remained scoreless, creating a tactical duel. Baraja’s side pressed with vertical runs and crosses aimed at creating danger, while Diego López and Gayá covered the left flank, and Correia carved out Valencia’s early best opening.
Halftime arrived amid a flurry of action, underscoring Valencia’s intent to attack with purpose.
Five more minutes of stoppage time added urgency as teams prepared for a decisive second half.
At 40 minutes, Vallés produced a spectacular save after Correia delivered a diagonal that forced the Las Palmas keeper into a remarkable divergence, preserving the scoreline.
At 29 minutes, Las Palmas pressed forward with danger as Viera advanced into space, threatening Mamardashvili with a through ball that required a timely intervention from Valencia’s defense and goalkeeper.
At 23 minutes, Las Palmas made a tactical change, introducing Sergi Cardona as Sinkgraven left the field.
Around the 15th minute, Álvaro Vallés produced a crucial stop after a well-placed cross from Gayá found Fran Pérez in space. The young forward struck firmly, but the goalkeeper turned the effort aside with an acrobatic save.
Fran Pérez pushed forward again shortly after the seventh minute, testing Vallés with a rising shot that narrowly cleared the crossbar as Valencia signaled their intent early.
The teams wore special T-shirts in solidarity with Fuerza Tenerife to honor the island after recent fires, a gesture echoed on the field as the match unfolded.
Historically, Valencia have held the upper hand at Mestalla against UD Las Palmas, winning eight of their last twelve La Liga meetings there, with three draws and one defeat. The solitary loss came in the 2016-17 season opener that began a difficult chapter for Valencia. For this fixture, García Pimienta made two changes to the visiting lineup, bringing Mika Mármol and Munir into the starting XI while Saúl Coco and Marc Cardona moved to the bench.
The match was played behind closed doors at Mestalla as a precaution following safety concerns from the previous season, with the stands empty as football’s broader environment considered risk and restraint.
Overall, the game offered a vivid snapshot of La Liga’s competitive edge, with Valencia achieving their home ambitions while Las Palmas pressed for an equalizer until late. The home defense held firm and Pepelu sealed the win for Valencia. The contest will be remembered for its intensity, key saves, and a single decisive moment that defined the evening at Mestalla.