Valencia Surges Past Las Palmas at Mestalla
Valencia clenched a late victory over Las Palmas on a humid Friday at Mestalla, with Pepelu curling in from the spot in the 74th minute. The Canary Islands outfit entered the match with ambitions of breaking their pattern of struggles in attack, facing a well-organized Valencia side who earned a second straight league win behind a sturdy defensive display from Álvaro Valles and a composed performance from his teammates.
Valencia aimed to seize control from the opening whistle, sticking with the same starting XI that impressed on the opening day while Sevilla’s optimism rested on Munir El Haddadi’s creativity. Las Palmas, meanwhile, tried to press Valencia high, but the hosts’ rhythm and intensity quickly pinched space and tempo from their guests.
After Diego López advanced from the left, Almeida angled into the box but found himself crowded by yellow shirts, failing to convert the first chance when Hugo Duro stood waiting in front of Álvaro Valles and Fran Pérez sent a wide cross. The messages from Valencia’s bench were clear within eight minutes: pressure, pace, and precision were needed to unlock Las Palmas’ compact defense.
Las Palmas attempted to respond with quick transitions led by Sandro, yet Cenk maintained discipline to snuff out danger. Valencia answered with swift counterattacks, and Diego López controlled a chest volley before firing a left-footed strike that Valles saved with his foot, keeping the game level and tense.
Las Palmas relied on set pieces to threaten Valencia’s rearguard. Twenty minutes in, Javi Muñoz’s header off a corner skimmed the bar as the visitors sought a breakthrough, and Valles then produced a long-range clearance that signaled a sustained contest. Iván Viera and others warned that Valencia’s defense could be breached on restarts, but the home block held firm as the half wore on.
The Canaries’ attempts to stretch the game were compounded by Sinkgraven’s injury, and García Pimienta’s staff called for urgency during a hydration break. Yet Las Palmas failed to translate possession into clear chances, ending the first half with a spectacular solo effort from Valles, who beat a one-on-one challenge in front of Thierry to preserve parity.
The second half began with Lemos replacing Julián Araujo and Jonathan Viera pushing higher to disrupt Valencia’s buildup. Las Palmas gained width and momentum, launching two testing shots from Viera and Araujo as they tried to unlock the home defense, but the rhythm remained unsettled and Valencia grew into the game after a cautious start.
Two wins in two matches became a refrain for Valencia as the minutes passed. In the minutes surrounding the 72nd, Thierry crafted a notable effort that drew a save and a VAR review that resulted in a penalty after a handball appeal. Pepelu stepped up and converted from the spot in the 74th minute, scoring his first goal in Valencia colors and delivering the decisive moment for the home side. Hugo Duro followed with a late effort, but the attempt went straight at Valles, keeping the match in a delicate balance until the final whistle.
Late pressure from Las Palmas was brief and contained. A single shot on target for the visitors, plus a dangerous set-piece that nearly changed the course of the match, defined their late push, but Mamardashvili remained vigilant in the closing stages to protect Valencia’s lead.
The match concluded with Valencia’s defense and goalkeeper standing tall, earning three crucial points and extending their momentum in the early phase of the league campaign. The home crowd left Mestalla buoyed by a performance that combined disciplined defending with effective counterattacking, and Pepelu’s late penalty added a moment of personal triumph to an important team victory. The result reinforced Valencia’s status as a challenger’s force in the league standings, while Las Palmas took away lessons about consistency and finishing in tight games.
Note: The post-match social updates from the club and media outlets highlighted Valencia’s ascent in the table and the impact of Pepelu’s decisive penalty, underscoring the narrative of a team finding its stride under pressure.