UD Las Palmas came from behind twice to share the spoils with the mighty Real Madrid side. Madrid took the lead in the 33rd minute after young sensation Asensio capitalized on a rebound to put his side in front. But the home side leveled the game just minutes after Los Blancos took the lead. Tana was left unmarked in the box by Ramos who drilled a low shot into the near corner. Karim Benzema came off the bench to score the second goal for the visitors when Palmas keeper Javi Varas failed to keep hold of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shot and the rebound fell into the feet of the Frenchman.
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Palmas kept knocking on the door in search of the equalizer and found one in the 86th minute. Madrid keeper Kiko Casilla charged forward to close down substitute Sergio Araujo in the box but the Argentine turned the ball away from the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty goal. Los Blancos could not find a dramatic winner in stoppage time and the game ended with the scoreline of 2-2
The draw takes Real Madrid on the top of the league table, with a narrow one point lead over second placed FC Barcelona. Las Palmas must be pleased with their performance against the capital side after the 4-1 thumping at the hands of Real Sociedad in midweek.
Let’s take a look at how each player performed in the game.
UD Las Palmas
Javi Varas (5 /10)
Varas was a busy man in the first half and was often tested by Alvaro Morata and Gareth Bale. Asensio scored the first goal after Varas failed to keep hold of the ball after a shot from Nacho.He did the same mistake in the second half which allowed Benzema to put Real in front.
Michel Macedo (5 /10)
Michel was at fault for Real’s first goal after he failed to track the run from Nacho whose managed to get a shot on the target. He did not improve in the second half as well and often found himself chasing Cristiano Ronaldo and Asensio.
David Garcia ( 7/10)
Garcia had a good game in the defense. He managed to keep Madrid attackers on the bay and was solid in the back in second half.
Aythami Artiles ( 6/10)
Artiles was dominated in the air by Morata in the first half. But he did well in the second half and denied Madrid any chance to score the winner after Araujo equalized.
Dani Castellano (5 /10)
Castellano had a poor game on the left. He was often caught off position by Bale and allowed Caravajal to venture forward throughout the game. Bale’s pace caused him all sorts of problems.
Vicente Gomez (6 /10)
Gomez was dominated by Kroos in the first half at the center of the pitch.But he improved considerably in the second half and even managed to get a shot on target.
Roque Mesa (5 /10)
Roque was booked in the first half after a silly foul on Modric.The Spaniard failed to make any impact on the game and allowed Luka Modric too much space.
Tana (7 /10)
Tana leveled the game for Palmas just minutes after Asensio put Madrid in front. He was left unmarked in the box and made most of the opportunity by drilling a left-footed into the near corner. He was booked in the late in the second half for time wasting.
Jonathan Viera (6 /10)
Viera had a good game as number 10 and linked up well with Tana. His game was cut short by an injury in the 56th minute and was replaced by Nail El Zhar.
Momo ( 5/10)
The Spaniard did little to help his team and could not create anything on the right.He was replaced by Araujo in the second half who eventually scored the equalizer.
Marko Livaja (5 /10)
Livaja started the game as the sole striker but could not found his way past Varane and Ramos. He was isolated for most of the game and was fouled four times.
Substitutes
Nabil El Zhar ( 6/10) – El Zhar replaced Viera in the 57th minute. Palmas looked lively after his introduction and he provided much-needed energy for the home side.
Sergio Araujo (7/10) – Araujo replaced Momo in the 70th minute. He was brilliant after coming on and received his reward in the 86th minute when he scored the equalizer .
Paolo Merladey /(NA) – Merladey was introduced in the 89th minute and did little to deserve a rating.
Real Madrid
Kiko Casilla ( 5/10)
Casilla was almost a spectator for a better part of the first half. He should've done better to stop the left-footed strike from Tana late in the first half. He was slow in the build-up to the second goal and should’ve reacted faster to close down Araujo.
Raphael Varane ( 7/10)
Varane was a dominating presence in the air and was solid in the back. He compensated for his captain’s sloppy performance and carried out his defensive duties efficiently.
Sergio Ramos (5 /10)
Ramos was sloppy in the back in the first half and left Tana unmarked who did the most of the opportunity and scored the equalizer. He had many nervy moments in the second half and the Captain must improve his performance before the mid-week fixture against Dortmund.
Nacho (6 /10)
With Marcelo out injured,Nacho started the game as Left-back and created Madrid’s first goal after making a superb run into the 6-yard box.His shot was saved by the Palmas keeper but Asensio did no mistake on the rebound to head the ball home.
Dani Carvajal ( 7/10)
Carvajal often found himself in the opposition half throughout the game and linked up well with Gareth Bale. He was solid defensively and did not allow Roque or Castellano to venture forward
Toni Kroos ( 7.5/10)
Kroos had a decent game in the middle of the park. He did well in his defensive duties and made some crucial tackles. His long balls often troubled the Palmas defense.
Luka Modric ( 7 /10)
After being rested for the midweek game against Villarreal,Luka Modric returned to the starting XI. He dictated the game in the midfield and provided crucial balls on either side of the pitch. His ambitious long-range effort late in the second half was saved by Varas.
Marco Asensio ( 7/10)
Asensio was a genuine threat on the left and opened the scoring for Madrid in 33rd minute after capitalizing on the rebound of Nacho’s shot. He was allowed to roam freely on the center of the pitch and was left unmarked when he scored the opener. He was replaced by Benzema midway in the second half.
Alvaro Morata (6.5 /10)
Morata started the game up front instead of Karim Benzema. He almost opened the scoring in the 8th minute but his free header was saved by Varas. He had a good second half but failed to score any goal.
Cristiano Ronaldo (6/10)
Ronaldo had an average game and looked far from hundred percent.Ronaldo missed an easy chance early in the first half after he failed to control a superb pass from Morata.He was better in the second half and provided the assist to Benzema’s goal. He was subbed off in the 72nd minute and Madrid will be expecting a much better performance from him against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League
Gareth Bale ( 7/10)
Bale was a constant threat on the right side and gave Castellano a hard time. Varas somehow managed to save Bale’s shot late in the first half.His dribbled past his marker on many occasions and put some decent balls in the box.
Substitutes :
Karim Benzema ( 7/10) – Benzema almost put Real in front just seconds after coming on in the second half but Varas made a good save in the end. Minutes later he capitalized on the rebound after a shot from Cristiano Ronaldo fell into his feet and the Frenchman calmly put the ball at the back of the net. He had a good chance late in the second half but couldn't keep his shot on the target.
Lucas Vasquez ( 5/10) Vasquez replaced Ronaldo in the second half. He did little to influence the game and failed to make any impact.
Isco (6 /10) – Isco came in the 80th minute to replace Morata. He had a great chance to seal the game late in the stoppage time but failed to keep his header down.
