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Impressive Las Palmas stun La Liga lead-chasing Atletico / Photo: © AFP
Impressive Las Palmas stun La Liga lead-chasing Atletico
Atletico Madrid spurned a chance to rise to the top of La Liga as they fell to a surprise 2-1 defeat by Las Palmas on Friday.
Diego Simeone's side would have levelled leaders Real Madrid and Girona on points with a victory, but were outplayed by the hosts, provisionally ninth and enjoying their first season in the top flight since 2018.
Kirian Rodriguez and Benito Ramirez struck in the second half for the Canary Islanders to secure Garcia Pimienta's side a famous victory, with Alvaro Morata pulling one back late on.
Atletico had racked up six consecutive league victories before falling short at Estadio de Gran Canaria.
The first half was a tight affair, with Las Palmas as mean at the back as they have been throughout this season -- only Madrid and Atletico have conceded fewer goals.
The best opening of the first half fell to Rodrigo Riquelme, Atletico's most dangerous player throughout.
Antoine Griezmann threaded a pass in behind for the Spanish midfielder, but Alvaro Valles was equal to his shot.
Las Palmas took the lead through Kirian's low drive from outside the box after 51 minutes.
Atletico complained the ball had gone out in the build-up, but the hosts kept it in, with Javier Munoz cleverly stepping over Munir El-Haddadi's pass to allow Kirian to strike.
Riquelme came close soon after, drilling a low effort against the post, and goalkeeper Valles breathed a sigh of relief as the ball bounced off his head on the rebound but did not drop over the line.
Simeone made the interesting choice to take off Griezmann after an hour, throwing on Angel Correa in his stead.
However Las Palmas doubled their advantage with 15 minutes remaining when Ramirez smashed a low effort past Jan Oblak at the near post.
Morata set up an exciting finale when he tucked away Riquelme's inviting cross, pulling level on seven La Liga goals with team-mate Griezmann, behind only Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham.
Morata might have levelled but flashed a shot against the crossbar with Valles out of position after saving well from Pablo Barrios' fierce effort.
Atletico host Celtic on Tuesday in the Champions League and Simeone will demand far more from his side than this largely flat offering.
L. Andersson--BTZ
