Real Madrid striking power too much for Las Palmas (0-3)

UD Las Palmas faced a Real Madrid side who had several of their stars missing, as they came to Gran Canaria with an eye on next Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Juventus. Missing were Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, Kroos, Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, but Zidane’s men were still able to make their class show against the yellows who were facing yet another cup final in the knowledge that Levante had moved further ahead in the table. Paco Jémez’s side held on as much as they could, but Real Madrid’s striking power was just too much of a punishment.

Jonathan Calleri had the first chance in the match (min. 5) with a shot from the edge of the box that went just inches wide of the right hand upright of Keylor Navas. Real Madrid responded just a minute later with a shot by Bale that went over the bar. The game had no real dominator, but there was room to move the ball around. Real Madrid adapted the best to this scenario.

UD Las Palmas had another effort by Halilovic from just outside the box, with Real Madrid’s shot-stopper making a good save (min. 11). Real Madrid were enjoying proceedings because they were harrying and chasing. A well placed Chichizola was able to get down to a powerful shot by Benzema (min. 14). Both sides were looking to get forward, with simple, direct football.

Argentine goalkeeper Chichizola was once again offering another recital of good saves. In the 23rd minute he managed to get his hand on the ball and turn it round for a corner following a point blank shot by Asensio. But then two minutes later, (min. 25), Welsh international Gareth Bale scored the first goal of the match with one of his typical efforts: galloping onto a through ball and dispatching a left foot thunderbolt into the corner. The 0-1 scoreline silenced the home crowd in the Estadio Gran Canaria. Las Palmas were by no means out of it, but the striking power of Real Madrid overcame the yellow’s enthusiasm. Madrid then went further ahead in the 38th minute with a penalty by Benzema. A slight contact in the box by Jonathan Calleri on Lucas Vázquez was enough for the referee to point to the spot. The match now became an uphill struggle for Las Palmas as they saw their slim chances of survival were slipping away. The sides went in at half time with a comfortable lead for the whites, 0-2.

In the second half, Paco Jémez changed his formation and played three at the back. Vicente Gómez and Michel Macedo stayed in the dressing room, and were replaced by Jairo and youth player Erik Expósito. But Real Madrid scored again from the penalty spot, for a dubious foul by Ximo Navarro on Bale. The Welsh player stepped up to make the scores 0-3 (min 51). Game, set and match in a game dominated by the away side, who played to the strengths of individual talents to comfortably overcome UD Las Palmas, who are now left with next week’s crucial trip to Levante in Valencia in their desperate attempts to close the gap on their nearest rivals.