On a sad day for the yellow’s family due to the passing of legendary footballer José Manuel Leòn, UD Las Palmas were unable to gain victory. They were leading in the 90th minute with a goal by Rubén Castro, but in a slip up by De la Bella, Curro made the scores 1-1 for Numancia.
Pepe Mel had stated in his pre-match press conference that Pedri would drop back into midfield to accompany Javi Castellano. The wings were taken by Juanjo Narváez and Benito Ramírez. Fede Varela moved forward to help out Rubén Castro. Things did not work out for Las Palmas in this way because without the ball they feel the pressure, and under pressure they were a second too late.
Numancia moved the ball confidently out of defence and attacked Las Palmas’ area at will. Las Palmas came into their visit to the Los Pajaritos stadium in Soria with the need to pick up three points. They were on a seven-game winless run. However, it was the home side who dominated proceedings in the first half.
The first of many chances for CD Numancia came after just two minutes, with a cross shot by Mateu. Other chances fell to Néstor, Escassi and a hanging ball that floated in that nearly found its way into the net defended by Álvaro Valles. Las Palmas struggled to gain possession and did find any fluency until towards the end of the first half. Varela, Narváez and Pedri began to link up together, and at least managed to shoot on goal. The best chance for the yellows came in the 35th minute with a surging run by Alberto De la Bella which ended with a shot that rebounded off goalkeeper Dani Barrio.
Las Palmas looked a completely different side in the second half. They came alive, moving the ball around better and went ahead from a corner by Benito in the 58th minute which was firmly headed home by Rubén Castro (0-1). Numancia were suddenly on the back foot and began to look to threaten the away goal defended by Valles with long balls.
Rubén Castro had a weak shot saved in the 78th minute when well placed. Numancia were losing their way but still hit the bar from a header in the 81st minute. Just as Las Palmas were about to celebrate victory, a poor clearance fell to the feet of Curro who scored the home side’s equaliser in the 90 minute, leaving a 1-1 final scoreline.
