- Las Palmas scores 89th-minute penalty and stoppage-time volley to secure draw
- Club extends winless streak to 10 matches but gains vital point in relegation scrap
- Manager Diego Martínez praises team's resilience despite ongoing survival concerns
In a heart-stopping La Liga clash at Estadio Gran Canaria, Las Palmas staged a remarkable late resurgence to snatch a 2-2 draw against fellow relegation battlers Alaves. The result keeps the Canary Islands club embedded in a five-team survival fight, with only two points separating four clubs above the drop zone. This dramatic turnaround came after Alaves appeared to seal victory through first-half and second-half goals, exposing Las Palmas' defensive vulnerabilities.
The match began disastrously for the hosts when Toni Martínez capitalized on a defensive error to volley home in the 6th minute. Alaves doubled their lead through substitute Jon Guridi, who clinically finished a counterattack in the 62nd minute. At this stage, Las Palmas had registered just one shot on target, mirroring their recent struggles in front of goal. However, the introduction of Wolves loanee Fábio Silva proved pivotal, with the Portuguese striker converting an 89th-minute penalty before Alberto Moleiro's acrobatic volley sparked pandemonium in the 92nd minute.
Financial analysts suggest La Liga survival could be worth €50-60 million to the club, factoring in television rights and sponsorship deals. Historical data shows teams averaging 1.2 points per game at this stage typically avoid relegation – Las Palmas now sits at 1.08, making their remaining fixtures critical. The Canary Islands' last top-flight survivor, CD Tenerife in 2010, survived by 3 points through similar late-season heroics.
Diego Martínez's halftime tactical shift to a 4-2-3-1 formation, pushing Moleiro into advanced positions, ultimately changed the game's trajectory. Post-match statistics revealed Las Palmas completed 78% of their final-third passes after the 75th minute compared to 52% earlier. This resurgence comes despite the club having La Liga's lowest average attendance (19,423) and third-smallest wage bill, highlighting their against-the-odds campaign.
With six matches remaining, Las Palmas faces matches against mid-table Celta Vigo and already-relegated Valladolid – potential turning points in their survival bid. As the Canary Islands holds its breath, this dramatic draw could become the catalyst for one of La Liga's great escape stories.