Spain's Ilkay Gundogan scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot to help Barca defeat host Las Palmas 2-1, in round 19 of La Liga on the evening of January 4.
Barca did not start well against the team ranked 10th. In the 12th minute, they let Sandro Ramirez cross into the penalty area for Munir El Haddadi to shoot with his left foot, putting Las Palmas ahead. Ramirez and El Haddadi both grew up in the La Masia training academy and had time to play for the Barca first team, but were not retained.
Barca continued to play poorly for the rest of the first half. Xavi's team lacked ideas and could not finish towards Las Palmas' goal. Meanwhile, the home team circulated the ball well whenever they had the chance.
El Haddadi (left) celebrates scoring in Barca's 2-1 win over Las Palmas in round 19 of La Liga on the evening of January 4, at Gran Canaria Stadium. Photo: EFE
However, after the break, Barca played a completely different game. The reigning La Liga champions attacked faster and had more shots. In the 55th minute, taking advantage of a chaotic situation in the Las Palmas penalty area, Sergi Roberto passed to Ferran Torres to score the equalizer.
Barca continued to press the field to win three points. From the 72nd minute, seeing Las Palmas's physical decline, Xavi continuously brought on Lamine Yamal, Joao Felix and Vitor Roque to replace Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Torres. Thanks to that, Barca's strikers found space behind the home team's defense.
Meanwhile, Las Palmas accepted fouls to stop the defending champions. The referee showed Las Palmas five yellow cards and one red card, while Barca only received three yellow cards.
Gundogan (center) celebrates the decisive goal in Barca's 2-1 win over Las Palmas in round 19 of La Liga on the evening of January 4, at Gran Canaria Stadium. Photo: EFE
In the 90+3 minute, the turning point of the match occurred. The home team's defender fouled Gundogan in the penalty area and the referee awarded Barca a penalty. Gundogan himself took the free kick to seal the 2-1 victory.
With this result, Barca finished the first leg of La Liga with 41 points. They ranked third, seven points behind Real Madrid and Girona.
Thanh Quy
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