LAS PALMAS, SPAIN – JANUARY 27: Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid celebrates with team mates Vinicius Junior and Antonio Ruediger after scoring their sides second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between UD Las Palmas and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Gran Canaria on January 27, 2024 in Las Palmas, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Real Madrid moved top of the LaLiga table after rallying from behind to defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Las Palmas 1-2 Real Madrid
Date: 27 January 2024
Venue: Estadio de Gran Canaria
Madrid were without Jude Bellingham due to suspension and Brahim Diaz took his place alongside Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, in a three-pronged attack.
Los Blancos had a bright start as they nearly went ahead within five minutes from the first whistle after Rodrygo unleashed a shot from the penalty area but he was denied by goalkeeper Alvaro Valles.
The visitors continued to have momentum but their next goal-threat on 19 minutes came from a free-kick after Valles plucked out Toni Kroos’ free-kick from the top corner.
Las Palmas grew in the game after the half-hour as Sergi Cardona almost broke the deadlock with a strike from the edge of the box that came off the crossbar.
Carlo Ancelotti’s charges regained their dominance towards the interval but they could not create more opportunities, as the first stanza ended without goals.
Garcia Pimienta’s men started the second stanza with more attacking intent, as Munir El Haddadi almost broke the deadlock two minutes from the break with a low strike that was kept out of the bottom by the full stretch of shot-stopper Andriy Lunin.
Javier Munoz eventually got the breakthrough six minutes later after he placed a shot into the bottom corner from a pass by Sandro Ramirez in the box.
Ancelotti made an attacking change on the hour-mark, as Joselu replaced Diaz for a different approach upfront and five minutes later Vinicius Junior levelled matters with a composed finish in the box from a through ball by Eduardo Camavinga.
Madrid were finding resistance from Las Palmas in the closing and with nine minutes to go, the Italian manager withdrew Rodrygo and brought on 18-year-old attacker Arda Guler.
The visitors were persistent going forward and Aurelien Tchouameni eventually snatched the winner six minutes before time with a header from Kroos’ corner.
Madrid locked the game with the introduction of Ferland Mendy in place of Vinicius Junior, as they leapfrogged Girona at the top of the table by two points.
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