UD Las Palmas Shocks Ontiñena in Copa del Rey, Advancing to Next Round
Las Palmas' Stunning Upset Secures Victory in First Leg of Copa del Rey Match
In a surprising turn of events, UD Las Palmas, a second-division Spanish football club, secured a remarkable 1-0 victory over Ontiñena, a third-tier side, in the first leg of their Copa del Rey matchup. The match, held at the Estadio Gran Canaria on Wednesday, witnessed a spirited performance from Las Palmas, who defied expectations and emerged victorious against a determined Ontiñena team.
Las Palmas' Dominance Stuns Ontiñena
Las Palmas asserted their dominance early on, controlling possession and creating several scoring opportunities. Their patient buildup play and precise passing proved too much for Ontiñena, who struggled to contain the relentless pressure. The deadlock was finally broken in the 25th minute when midfielder Alberto Moleiro unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net, giving Las Palmas a 1-0 lead.
Ontiñena, despite the early setback, remained resilient and fought valiantly to level the score. They created a few chances of their own, but Las Palmas' resolute defense stood firm, thwarting their attempts to equalize. As the first half drew to a close, Las Palmas maintained their advantage and carried a narrow 1-0 lead into the break.
Las Palmas Holds Strong to Secure Victory
The second half commenced with both teams eager to gain the upper hand. Las Palmas continued to press forward, seeking to extend their lead, while Ontiñena showed admirable determination in their pursuit of an equalizer.
Las Palmas nearly doubled their advantage in the 65th minute when striker Jesé Rodríguez found himself in a one-on-one situation with Ontiñena's goalkeeper. However, Rodríguez's shot was parried away, much to the relief of the Ontiñena defense.
As the match entered its closing stages, Ontiñena grew increasingly desperate in their search for a goal that would keep their Copa del Rey hopes alive. They pushed forward with numbers, leaving themselves vulnerable to Las Palmas' counterattacks.
Las Palmas, sensing the opportunity to secure a crucial away victory, capitalized on Ontiñena's attacking intent. In the 89th minute, substitute midfielder Pejiño received the ball on the right flank and drove towards the Ontiñena goal. With a deft pass, he found unmarked forward Sandro Ramírez, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, sealing a 1-0 victory for Las Palmas.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Las Palmas players and fans. They had defied the odds and secured a significant advantage heading into the second leg of the Copa del Rey tie.
Ontiñena's Hopes Dwindle, Las Palmas Eyes Quarterfinals
For Ontiñena, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. They had played with heart and determination but were ultimately undone by Las Palmas' superior quality and experience. Their hopes of reaching the Copa del Rey quarterfinals now hang precariously, as they need to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg.
Meanwhile, Las Palmas can look forward to the second leg with renewed confidence. They have demonstrated their ability to compete with higher-level opposition and will be determined to finish the job and secure a place in the next round. The second leg of the Copa del Rey tie between UD Las Palmas and Ontiñena will take place on January 18, 2023, at Ontiñena's home ground.
