On March 14, 2025, UD Las Palmas and Deportivo Alavés faced each other at the Estadio Gran Canaria, concluding their clash with an electrifying 2-2 draw. The match was not just another fixture; it was pivotal for both teams embroiled in the relegation battle of LaLiga. Las Palmas, struggling all season, had not tasted victory yet this year, making the match quintessential not only for pride but also for survival.
Las Palmas entered the match after suffering yet another defeat, this time against Real Betis, marking their bleak start to the year with no wins and only two points from their last nine games. Their situation was dire, positioned penultimately on the league table with just 24 points. Meanwhile, Alavés came from back-to-back defeats, having secured a 1-0 victory against Villarreal just before traveling to Gran Canaria, giving them a morale boost. Positioned just above Las Palmas with 26 points, the stakes for this match could not have been higher.
The match got underway with both teams eager to seize control early. Alavés came out firing, and within the first 10 minutes, they found the opening goal. Toni Martínez’s stunning volley from inside the box stunned the home crowd and put Alavés on the board first. Despite some promising moves from Las Palmas, their attacking efforts struggled to break through Alavés' defense, and just moments later, Martínez almost added another, hitting the post.
Meanwhile, Las Palmas, invigorated by their home fans yet burdened by the need for points, attempted to counter. Fábio Silva had the best chance for Las Palmas early on, but his close-range effort went astray. The pressure mounted as the first half progressed but it was only Alavés who found the net again. Only minutes after the first goal, Jon Guridi, just subbed onto the field, capitalized on poor defending from Las Palmas, doubling their lead to 2-0. The mood inside Gran Canaria became tense as fans began to realize just how precarious their team's position was.
Despite the scoreline, the fight wasn’t over. Manager Diego Martínez had his players propelled by chants from the stands, pushing them forward with determination. The second half began with more intensity from Las Palmas as they desperately sought to claw their way back. On the 89th minute, the game took an unexpected turn when Las Palmas was awarded a penalty after Guridi's handball. Fábio Silva kept his cool, converting the spot-kick to bring the score to 2-1, igniting hope among the fans.
Just minutes later, with the game drawing to its conclusion, the atmosphere reached fever pitch. Alberto Moleiro, the young midfielder for Las Palmas, surprised everyone by scoring the equalizer. His powerful shot from near the edge of the area sent the home crowd roaring, making it 2-2. The goal came as the perfect finish to what had become an incredible comeback, with Los Amarillos rallying at the last possible moment.
"We have bad luck sometimes. We knew it was going to be a difficult match where we had to be effective, as they are very compact. It's a very important point for us," said Silva after the match, highlighting the emotional weight of their performance.
On the other side of the field, Alavés struggled to digest the result. Villalibre, one of their standout players, expressed disappointment, saying, "A very bad feeling. We dominated, but we went back. When they are down, it’s best to keep pressing forward. We made mistakes for which we paid." His words reflected the disappointment of letting slip two important points.
After allowing 2 goals late in the game, Alavés now must contend with maintaining their place outside the relegation zone, as these dropped points could have significant consequences for their campaign. For Las Palmas, even though they remain entrenched within the relegation zone, this point feels like renewed life. After the match, Martínez expressed his determination to turn the club's fortunes around: "We need to stay cautious; we play for much more than three points."
Looking forward, both teams have tough upcoming fixtures. Las Palmas will visit Celta, desperate to transition their improved morale against Alavés to actual victories. Alavés will host Rayo Vallecano next, hoping to bounce back and maintain their position, lifting them away from the precarious relegation spots.
This match encapsulated the raw emotion of football—triumph and despair intermixed within the spirited fight against relegation. The season is far from over, yet for both teams, this thrilling draw today is just the beginning of what promises to be a gripping battle for survival.