Barcelona Stunned By Las Palmas On 125th Anniversary.
Barcelona’s 125th anniversary celebrations were overshadowed by a shocking 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Las Palmas, marking a rare home loss against the visitors and extending their winless run in La Liga to three matches.
Former Barcelona striker Sandro Ramirez silenced his previous team with a low strike to give Las Palmas the lead, drawing boos from the home crowd. Barca’s captain, Raphinha, responded with a thunderous low drive to level the score, but it was Wolves loanee Fabio Silva who secured victory for Las Palmas, calmly slotting in from Javi Munoz’s brilliant pass.
The victory lifts Las Palmas to 14th in the league standings. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga remains under threat, with Real Madrid poised to close the gap to just one point if they overcome Getafe on Sunday.
Hansi Flick’s side dominated possession and registered 26 attempts on goal, their highest in a league game this season. However, they struggled to break down a resilient Las Palmas defence, led by an inspired Jasper Cillessen, who produced crucial saves, including a superb effort to deny Raphinha’s curling free-kick.
Ferran Torres and Pablo Torre also saw their efforts thwarted, leaving Barcelona unable to capitalise on their dominance.
The defeat marked Barcelona’s first home loss to Las Palmas since September 1971, dampening the festive mood of their anniversary celebrations. The club had debuted a new mascot to mark the occasion, but joy turned to concern when Alejandro Balde was stretchered off in the 26th minute following a collision with Sandro.
The loss highlights growing concerns for Barcelona as they navigate a challenging phase in their campaign. With Real Madrid closing in, Flick’s side must regroup quickly to maintain their title aspirations.
For Las Palmas, the win is a morale-boosting result, showcasing their determination to climb further away from the relegation zone. Fabio Silva’s decisive performance, alongside a disciplined defensive display, ensures a memorable night for the visitors.
Barcelona will look to recover from this setback as they face crucial fixtures ahead, hoping to reignite their form and maintain their position at the summit of La Liga.
