Real Madrid’s La Liga title defense got off to a shaky start on Thursday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw against lowly Las Palmas. The Spanish giants struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match, failing to deliver a convincing performance against a determined Las Palmas side.
The hosts took the lead early on, with Alberto Moleiro capitalizing on a quick counter-attack in the fifth minute. Las Palmas continued to press forward, creating numerous chances to extend their lead, forcing Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into making three incredible saves.
Despite their struggles, Real Madrid managed to equalize from the penalty spot in the second half. Vinicius Jr., who replaced Rodrygo in the 67th minute, converted the penalty after a handball by defender Alex Suarez. The goal came after a lackluster first half that saw Real Madrid display a lack of focus and organization.
The draw leaves Real Madrid fourth in the La Liga standings, four points behind leaders Barcelona. The reigning champions will look to bounce back from this disappointing performance when they host Real Betis on Sunday. Meanwhile, Las Palmas, who are currently in 16th place, will travel to the Basque Country to face Alaves.
Despite the draw, Real Madrid will be looking to improve their performance in the coming weeks. With a squad boasting the likes of Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Luka Modric, they have the talent to overcome this early setback and challenge for the La Liga title. However, their struggles against Las Palmas serve as a reminder that they will need to maintain focus and consistency if they want to repeat their success from last season.
