Las Palmas manages to scrape a draw in Getafe (3-3)
UD Las Palmas returns from Getafe with an extra point in their bag, earned by grinding it out, as coach García Pimienta often says. The yellows drew 3-3 in a match where they found themselves two goals down on two occasions. But goals from Sandro, Sergi Cardona, and Munir balanced the game. There even could have been a fourth goal for the yellows with another powerful shot from Sandro that hit the crossbar.
Defensive lapses and a few errors in ball distribution cost UD Las Palmas dearly, especially in the first half. Their opponents capitalized on the discomfort of the visiting players to open up a two-goal lead before the first quarter of an hour.
The first chance of the match fell to Greenwood, with a fierce shot saved by Valles. But at the 10-minute mark, the La Rinconada goalkeeper could do nothing when Mata latched onto a cross into the heart of the area, controlled it with his chest, and slotted home for 1-0.
That opening goal was a blow, especially amidst the downpour at the time. But the 2-0 came immediately, just three minutes later. On the second occasion, Getafe launched a quick counterattack after winning the ball, allowing Greenwood to score after a one-on-one with the visiting goalkeeper.
The game had been turned on its head, but half an hour in, there was a glimmer of hope when Sandro placed the ball accurately and powerfully into the top corner of the Getafe net. The Gran Canarian forward made it 2-1, ending a personal drought that had begun in May 2023.
That islander's goal was the result of a general improvement in play. Prior to the 2-1, Munir and Sandro himself had tried their luck with early shots.
It seemed like the teams would reach halftime with just a narrow deficit, but another marking error led to the 3-1 in the 44th minute. This time it was Maksimovic who scored with a precise header that faced no defensive challenge.
The game completely changed in the second half, with an ambitious UD Las Palmas pushing forward determinedly in search of more goals. García Pimienta's players had then found their characteristic football and reignited hope with Sergi Cardona's goal, just 4 minutes after the break. The full-back tapped in an excellent pass from his teammate Mika Mármol.
The 3-3 took a few minutes to appear on the scoreboard. It was Munir's work, with an assist from Javi Muñoz. For a moment, there was uncertainty because the goal had been disallowed by the on-field referee trio. But a VAR consultation overturned the initial decision.
Las Palmas wanted more. In the 65th minute, Sandro could have changed the game again with a powerful shot that hit the crossbar when the local goalkeeper was already beaten.
The final stretch of the match was thrilling. Las Palmas had new chances, but couldn't capitalize on them. And Getafe responded once with a shot from Mata that also hit the woodwork. But the 3-3 remained unchanged.
