Real Madrid repeated their comeback in the League with two great goals in 20 minutes from Vinícius (m. 65) and Tchouaméni (m. 84) in another match with referee controversy. The Riojan referee Soto Grado, criticized during the week by Real Madrid TV, forgave the expulsion of Real Madrid player Rodrygo twice, the first for a slap on the head of the goalkeeper, and the second for an elbow in the face of Sergi Cardona.
With very little, Real Madrid resolved a complicated match against a tough Las Palmas that did not hesitate to play face to face with the whites. Xavi Garcia Pimienta’s daring team found the reward for their generous football in a great goal from Javi Muñoz in the 53rd minute. Sandro beat Rüdiger in the race, put a cross behind him and Muñoz, trained in the Madrid youth academy, finished off with a placed shot that touched Nacho.
The 1-0 did justice to the greater ambition and more chances that Las Palmas had, which was on the verge of taking the lead at the beginning of the second half (m. 47) in a shot by Munir at the base of the post that was saved feline Lunin, substitute for Kepa.
Las Palmas’ joy did not last long. Just 12 minutes. Real Madrid took a step forward in the second half, harassing the Canaries, and Vinícius, practically non-existent during the match except to claim a card for an alleged blow to the face, rescued his team with a spectacular left foot (m. 65 ).
The Brazilian impaled a cross ball with his left foot after a high pass from Camavinga. The Brazilian’s control and shooting power was spectacular, increasing his tally in the League to 6 goals.
Next came the second controversial play, Rodrygo’s elbow in the face of Sergi Cardona (m. 67) when the Brazilian got away from the Catalan player from Lloret de Mar. Soto Grado ignored the attack, and the VAR did not demand his attention either, as in the first one by Rodrygo himself (m. 4) on goalkeeper Álvaro Vallés, whom he hit on the head and only saw the yellow card.
When the game was heading towards a tie, with Las Palmas pushing to keep a point, Tchouaméni scored 1-2. Kroos served a corner from the right and the French midfielder rose powerfully above the Canarian defense to finish with a powerful header (m. 84). It was Madrid’s sixth corner goal in this League. An accurate shot that gives the white team provisional leadership (waiting for the Girona match at Celta’s field).
UD Las Palmas: Alvaro Valleys; Marvin Park (Herzog, min. 69), Alex Suarez, Micah Marble, Sergi Cardona; Javi Munoz (89 mins), Perrone, Kirian; Munir (Pejino, 78 mins), Sandro (Marc Cardona, 78 mins) and Moleiro (Loiodice, 69 mins).
Real Madrid: Monday; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Nacho, Fran Garcia; Ceballos (Valverde, 59 minutes), Kroos, Camavinga (Tchouaméni, 81 minutes); Rodrygo (Arda Güler, 81 minutes), Brahim (Joselu, 59 minutes) and Vinicius (Mendy, 90 minutes).
Referee: César Soto Grado (La Rioja). He showed a yellow card to the locals Kirian, Javi Muñoz and Perrone; and the visitors Rodrygo, Mendy and Tchouaméni.
Goals: 1-0 Javi Munoz (53); 1-1 Vinicius (65); 1-2 Chouameni (84).
Field: Gran Canaria Stadium, 32,037 spectators
