Gundogan Scores Late To Take Barcelona To Win At Las Palmas

Spanish champions Barcelona traveled to Estadio de Gran Canaria for his or her La Liga Matchday 19 conflict with Las Palmas on Thursday night time (January 4). Regardless of having a a lot stronger squad, Xavi’s title aspirants didn’t dominate the mid-table outfit and had been lucky to stroll away with all three factors.

Two Ex-Barcelona Attackers Torment The Guests In First Half

Aiming for a top-half end this season, Las Palmas’ main purpose was to keep away from defeat in opposition to Barcelona. Within the first 10 minutes, they centered on the fundamentals, protecting Barca’s attackers and stringing passes collectively with out taking too many dangers. Within the twelfth minute, their easy but efficient method paid dividends, with them placing their noses in entrance in wonderful style. Former Barcelona attacker Sandro Ramirez acquired the ball from Javier Munoz and delivered a low cross into the field. One other Ex-Barca ace, Munir outsmarted Ronald Araujo to attach with the supply on the fringe of the six-yard field and steer it past Barca goalkeeper Inaki Pena.

Within the twenty third minute, Sandro obtained a chance to get on the scoresheet himself, however his shot lacked energy, which allowed Pena to parry it behind for a nook. 5 minutes later, Munoz examined Pena with a robust strike, which the goalkeeper managed to push so far as Sandro. The Spanish ahead promptly had a go at purpose however noticed his effort zip huge of the mark.

5 minutes earlier than the first-half whistle, Munir discovered himself clear by means of on purpose. Fortunately for Barcelona, the ahead’s first contact was heavy, which allowed Araujo to get well and deflect his shot behind for a nook.

Gundogan Wins The Sport For Barca With Controversial Penalty

After a lackluster first half, which noticed them narrowly escape with a 1-0 deficit, Barcelona obtained themselves the equalizer within the fifty fifth minute. Bouncing off Robert Lewandowski, the ball fell to Sergi Roberto, who helped the ball onto Ferran Torres’ path. From shut vary, the ex-Manchester Metropolis man guided the ball into the bottom-right nook.

Roughly 10 minutes after Barca debutant Vitor Roque noticed his volley saved by Las Palmas goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, the Catalans scored the winner from the penalty spot. In stoppage time, Joao Felix went for purpose from a good angle on the appropriate facet. Valles blocked the trouble however the ball looped towards the far put up, the place Ilkay Gundogan was lurking. Simply because the midfielder leaped to make contact with the ball on the goalline, Daley Sinkgraven pushed him. The German tumbled over and the referee unhesitantly awarded a penalty to the Blaugrana. To make issues worse, he additionally despatched Sinkgraven off for obstructing a transparent goalscoring alternative.

The previous Manchester Metropolis captain stepped as much as take the penalty and rolled it into the bottom-left nook, sealing most factors for the guests. The win took Barcelona’s factors complete to 41 in 19 video games. Presently sitting in third place, Xavi males path league leaders Actual Madrid by seven factors.