🇪🇸 LaLiga showdown set after Madrid pass tough Las Palmas test | OneFootball

Real Madrid needed to work for all three points during their 2-0 win over Las Palmas.

Scorers: Diaz 45+3′, Joselu 54′

It was one-way traffic at the Santiago Bernabéu, but a star showing from one Las Palmas player made Real Madrid sweat.

Los Blancos peppered Álvaro Valles’ net during the first 45 minutes, yet it seemed the goalkeeper was an octopus, stopping efforts from Rodrygo, Joselu, Brahim Díaz and others.

To make matters worse for the hosts, David Alaba was forced off injured and went straight down the tunnel. It could be a huge defensive blow for Carlo Ancelotti with Éder Militão and Thibaut Courtois already out.

It wasn’t until just before the break that Madrid’s relentless pressure finally cracked the visitors. Brahim was hovering above the penalty spot and thrust the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal since his return.

Coming out into the second half, Ancelotti must have said a mouthful to his squad, and they came out with slightly more confidence (perhaps fatigue played a role for Las Palmas, too).

Rodrygo pulled off a no-look left-footed cross into the box that met the head of Joselu for 2-0. It is the Spaniard’s third goal of the season.

Notably, star man Jude Bellingham played zero minutes, while a positive sign was seeing Vinícius Júnior return. The Brazilian looked particularly eager to dribble past defenders and try his luck.

The result means Real Madrid second (one point behind Girona) but are above Barcelona who dropped points in Mallorca. Looking ahead, Madrid and Girona face off next week.