Villarreal edging past Las Palmas with late drama in La Cerámica
Sunday brought a tense clash as Villarreal hosted Las Palmas at La Cerámica, a game that underscored both the Yellow Submarine’s strengths and the gaps that still linger in their creative output. Saúl Coco opened the scoring in the 47th minute, followed by a clinical finish from Marc Cardona in the 51st, and even a late, spirited strike from Gerard Moreno in the 92nd could not salvage a point for the visitors. In the end, Villarreal claimed three points, but the match left questions about consistency for the home side as they collected four points from a recent slate of fixtures and endured a stretch of five winless battles away from home in league play.
After a Europa League triumph that lifted confidence, Villarreal approached this league encounter eager to confirm their domestic form. The analysis suggested that away from home, Las Palmas had struggled to translate chances into goals, a trend the hosts aimed to exploit. Early in the contest, a well-timed cross from Alexander Sörloth found Yeremy Pino, but the striker could not convert, and Álvaro Valles stood tall to avert danger. The opening minutes showcased Villarreal’s intent to control the tempo, yet the road opponents demonstrated quick, high-intensity pressure that kept the match balanced and competitive.
Javier García Pimienta, the Las Palmas coach, was clear-eyed about the vulnerabilities in the home side and looked for ways to disrupt Villarreal’s tactical rhythm. The visitors often exploited the space behind Villarreal’s defensive line, using long balls to threaten with runners in behind. Aerial duels became a recurring theme as Danish goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen read the flight of each launch, coming out on top in several decisive moments. That balance of physicality and direct play kept Villarreal honest and prevented them from settling into a comfortable rhythm early on.
Sorloth, taking on the mantle of the team’s primary goal threat, pressed with the urgency of a man determined to end a goal drought. He came close at least twice in the first half, his header drifting narrowly wide from a corner near the post and his efforts kept off the scoresheet by sharp defending. Yeremy Pino, too, displayed moments of brilliance, weaving through the Las Palmas defense and creating chances, only to see the visiting back line stand firm on several occasions. The proximity to breaking the deadlock kept the atmosphere electric, with supporters on both sides sensing that a single moment could tilt the balance.
Las Palmas answered with quick transitions and a willingness to chase the game, pressing vigorously and retreating only when necessary to absorb Villarreal’s attacking waves. Capoue’s powerful long-range shot provided the kind of moment that could swing an away side into a surprising advantage, but it was repelled by Valles as the goalkeeper flashed across his goal to keep the scoreline level. The opening half was a study in contrasts: Villarreal dominating possession and field position, Las Palmas posing threats on the break and through set pieces, leaving the outcome undecided as the teams prepared for the second period.
Into the extra time frame, a turning point came when Yeremy Pino departed late in the half after an unfortunate foul on Sergi Cardona, a moment that briefly unsettled Villarreal’s rhythm. Coco took advantage, delivering a precise cross that found the head of Jorgensen, who could not react quickly enough and watched the ball past the goalkeeper in the 47th minute. The opener was not merely a goal; it signaled a shift in tempo as Villarreal doubled down on their forward pressure and dared Las Palmas to chase the game and leave spaces behind for counterattack.
After the break, Villarreal extended their lead through a well-worked set-piece routine. Aissa Mandi delivered the ball from a free kick and Marc Cardona potted a second, converting a precise shot from the edge of the penalty area in the 51st minute. The home side then took a more aggressive stance, switching to a three-center-back system to reinforce their defensive solidity while focusing on attacking options through the channels and inside the box. The tactical tweak reflected a manager’s instinct to maximize attacking presence when the clock pressed, especially with Gerard Moreno entering the fray in the 75th minute as the plan to intensify pressure materialized.
Las Palmas continued to defend doggedly, and their resilience almost paid off in the late stages as they sought a lifeline. Coco’s influence remained a decisive factor; his movement and control of the ball disrupted Las Palmas’ structure and limited Sorloth’s opportunities to a more peripheral role as the game wore on. Capoue, not content with a single strike, tried again from distance, only to be denied by Valles, who read the shot and pushed it away for a corner. The clock ticked into the final minutes with Villarreal clinging to a slender lead, and the probability of a late equalizer varied with each set piece Las Palmas earned, but the defense held firm.
In the last act, Gerard Moreno produced a late, stirring strike in the 92nd minute, lifting the crowd’s spirits and giving the visitors a flicker of hope. The goal sparked a frantic stretch of play as both sides pressed for a dramatic finish, but Villarreal’s organized rearguard held firm. The final whistle confirmed a victory for Villarreal, a result that underscored the home team’s edge in crucial moments while highlighting Las Palmas’ persistent setbacks in translating opportunities into goals during this particular away assignment.
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