Las Palmas 1–0 Atletico Madrid Player Ratings: Javier Munoz’s Late Winner Stuns Atletico as Los Amarillos Rise from the Bottom Three

Las Palmas stun Atletico Madrid with a late winner from Munoz to send the Canary Islands into wild celebrations. The 18th-placed team played some good football in the first half, but the top dog took control of the game. It looked like we were destined for a goalless draw, but Javier Munoz had other ideas as he scored a late goal to seal all three points. Atletico Madrid were left to rue their missed chances and dull approach for a point.

The hosts went a bit pragmatic, as expected, as coach Diego Martinez made a couple of tweaks to the lineup. Sandro Ramriez was dropped as an extra body was needed in the middle of the park. Los Rojiblancos also made a surprise change by leaving Antoine Griezmann on the bench. Robin Le Normand made a start in the defence as well alongside Jose Maria Gimenez, as Diego Simeone once again named a 4-4-2 on paper.

Atletico Madrid had a lion’s share of possession in the opening exchanges as Las Palmas deployed a mid-block. Los Amarillos weren’t afraid to press high when needed, as the hardworking front three kept pressure on the visitors’ defence. The first chance of the game fell to Conor Gallagher when Marcos Llorente fired his cutback across the face of the goal. But the Englishman’s shot was blocked.

Alberto Moleiro was causing a lot of trouble for the visitors on their right-hand side as they often stretched to defend their box. Alex Suarez couldn’t believe how he placed a simple header straight at Jan Oblak when the entire goal mouth was gaping.

Julian Alvarez couldn’t believe what he did as has was denied from a yard out by Dinko Horkas. Giuliano Simeone was again running the show for Atlético as Horkas was making fine save after fine save. The first half was entertaining, but there were no goals to report. Atletico Madrid’s bluntness in front of goal was well documented again as the half ended goalless. A huge second half was expected as these sides usually turn things around after some knowledge from the coaches.

Gallagher started the second half with more intent as he claimed a penalty after being bundled by Las Palmas’s skipper, but the referee waved it away without a doubt. Atletico Madrid wasted no time as Simeone turned to his bench by making 4 changes within 15 minutes of the restart.

Despite the changes, there wasn’t much change in the trajectory of the game. Neither side looked a clear favourite to win the game as Atletico Madrid controlled the territory, but Las Palmas believed they could get something from this game as they looked threatening on the break.

Antoine Griezmann entered the top 8 list of all La Liga appearances (524) with his cameo from the bench. The French man was desperate to celebrate that milestone with a winner. However, he couldn’t write a different script as Las Palmas stole all three points in the 95th minute.

They played a simple free kick up the field, and Le Normand made a mess of his clearance, and his centreback partner, Gimenez, failed to rescue him. It allowed Jaime Mata to keep the ball away, and Javier Munoz bundled it past Oblak from close range to send the home crowd into ecstasy. It needed a helping hand from VAR to stand as the lineswoman ruled it out for offside initially.

Las Palmas pick up three points with some great drama at the death to move out of the bottom three temporarily. They will be buoyed by winning two on the trot and use this momentum to survive the drop. They travel to the Athletic Club next in the league. Atletico Madrid lose again, and this might be the final coffin in their title hunt. They host Rayo Vallecano in the league next.

Here are the Las Palmas vs Atletico Madrid player ratings.

Las Palmas Player Ratings

GK – Dinko Horkas – 7.5/10

Almost embarrassed himself with a slip early on, but thankfully opposition wasn’t on hand to capitalise. Pulled off a couple of incredible saves to keep the scoreline at 0-0 in the first half.

RB – Viti – 6.5/10

Conor Gallagher gave him a handful at times with his endless running, and he had to stay on his toes all game.

CB – Alex Suarez – 6/10

The captain lost track of his runners a couple of times, but the goalkeeper came to his rescue to spare his blushes. Should have scored from a set piece in the first half.

CB – Scott McKenna – 6.5/10

Like a rock at the block for the hosts as he repelled nearly everything that was thrown at them in the opening exchanges.

LB – Mika Marmol – 6/10

Involved in the buildup usually as part of a back three, but also played a key role in joining the attack.

RM – Javier Munoz – 8/10

Provided the width on the right-hand side but failed to create any special openings in the first period. He kept trying and was rewarded in the 95th minute when the ball fell kindly for him.

CM – Dario Essugo – 7.5/10

Claimed the ball in the dangerous places and was often shrugged apart by the opposition but managed to keep his composure. Fired a great shot from 25 tards out but it was only inches wide

CM – Stefan Bajcetic – 6/10

Had an ambitious effort from outside of the box from a half-cleared corner, but it was overambitious from his end.

LM – Alberto Moleiro – 7.5/10

A fantastic dribble to enter the box and fire a dangerous cross that was miraculously turned away. He was always causing trouble to his full-backs, but needed that tangible product on it.

ST – Fabio Silva – 6/10

Started the game alongside McBurnie, but he had a floating role to exploit Atletico Madrid’s defence. Tried to use his physicality to bring others into play, but the opposition was stronger than that.

ST – Oliver McBurnie – 5/10

Led the forward line on their press relentlessly as he was full of energy. But he had little to no service as Atletico Madrid dominated the ball later on.

SUB- Marvin Park – 6/10

SUB- Sandro Ramirez – 6/10

SUB- Jose Campana – 6/10

SUB- Jaime Mata – 7/10

Kept fighting for the ball after coming on, and his persistence allowed the ball to drop for Munoz, who scored the winner.

Manager- Diego Martinez – 7/10

Set up a midblock, knowing how Atletico Madrid struggles, and got the result in the first half. It was a matter of finding the winner in the second for him. His changes were timed wrong, as his side failed to build on the momentum and had to settle for a draw. However, it turned out to be decisive as Mata helped Munoz score the winner.

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Atletico Madrid Player Ratings

GK – Jan Oblak – 6/10

He was very lucky that Suarez’s header was straight at him from a point-blank range. Fairly routine saves in the second half to make. He was stunned to concede in the nth hour.

RB – Marcos Llorente – 6.5/10

Enjoyed an attacking start to the game with some good runs down the right flank. In defence, Moleiro gave him a tough time.

CB – Robin Le Normand – 6/10

He was calm and composed as usual, even when the opposition press was running at him at full speed. But the last minute humbled him as he failed to control a simple free kick towards him.

CB – Jose Gimenez – 6.5/10

Cleared plenty of crosses in a typical Gimenez way on his 250th La Liga appearance. He was engaged in a constant duel with McBurnie and won it more often than not. Failed to win the one duel that mattered in the last minute as Las Palmas scored.

LB – Javi Galan – 6/10

Looked awkward while defending in some duels, but he managed to get the better of his opponents. Picked up a yellow card for a rash challenge in the second half.

RM – Giuliano Simeone – 7/10

The best attacking outlet for Atletico, as he was full of running and creativity. Asked dangerous questions of the hosts’ defence by putting some lovely crosses in.

CM – Koke – 6.5/10

The veteran tried to put his studs on the ball and explore spaces, but he wasn’t able to find any gaps in the well-drilled Las Palmas backline.

CM – Pablo Barrios – 6.5/10

Delivered some lovely crosses from the half spaces. Looked a bit weak defensively as Essugo made the midfield battle look like light work.

LM- Conor Gallagher – 6.5/10

Had a great chance to give his side the lead early on, but his shot was blocked. Claimed a penalty in the second half as well, but it was waved away.

ST – Julian Alvarez – 6/10

Probably had the best chance of the game when he was found just a yard out from the goal. He inexplicably hit his effort against the goalkeeper instead of bundling it in.

ST – Alexander Sorloth – 6/10

Received a couple of good chances, but his body shape was all wrong to convert them. Failed to do most on a rare opportunity in the lineup.

SUB- Rodirgo De Paul – 6/10

SUB- Rodrigo Riquelme – 6/10

SUB- Cesar Azpilicueta – 6/10

SUB- Antoine Griezmann – 6/10

SUB- Angel Correa – 6/10

Manager- Diego Simeone – 5/10

The surprise decision to leave out Griezmann left his side short of a playmaker. The attack looked blunt as it entirely depended on wide chance creation. Rectified it early in the second half with some subs, but it was too late, perhaps. The decision to settle for a draw with plenty of time left affected his team’s attitude and perhaps explains the shock late goal.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Javier Munoz

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