Las Palmas 1-1 Real Madrid: Vinicius spot-kick salvages a point for Los Blancos

Vinicius Junior’s penalty ensured Real Madrid left the Estadio de Gran Canaria with a point as they drew 1-1 to Las Palmas on Thursday.

Alberto Moleiro had given the hosts a shock lead in the fifth minute, but Vinicius would net from 12 yards to swing the encounter back in their favour, however, Carlo Ancelotti’s star-studded line-up were unable to find a way through.

A frantic start to proceedings saw Moleiro produce a moment of magic to skip beyond Aurelien Tchouameni and Eder Militao before firing low into the far corner.

Madrid would register nine shots in the opening 45 minutes, three of which were on target, but they were unable to test Jasper Cillessen in the Las Palms net.

However, parity was restored when defender Alex Suarez was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area, with Vinicius stepping up to score from the spot.

Kylian Mbappe endured another difficult outing in front of goal, with only two of his nine shots on target as he still awaits his first LaLiga goal for his new side.

Ancelotti’s side sit fourth in the early-season standings with five points from their first three games, four behind rivals and table toppers Barcelona.

@UDLP_English 1-1 @realmadriden
5’ Moleiro
69’ @ViniJr (p.)#LasPalmasRealMadrid | @emirates pic.twitter.com/Hj0whS8cto

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) August 29, 2024

Data Debrief: Vinicius on target as Mbappe’s struggles continue

Vinicius has now scored all four of his penalties for Real Madrid in all competitions, all of which have come in 2024.

The Brazilian looked Los Blancos’ biggest threat in the forward areas, contributing an expected goals (xG) of 1.23 to Madrid’s 2.81 total.

However, it was another night to forget for Mbappe. The Frenchman is the player in the top five European Leagues this season who has had the most shots this term (17) and who has the worst difference between xG (1.8) and goals scored (none).