1-2: UD Almería suffer costly blackout

UD Almería suffered one of football’s cruellest defeats as a couple of costly minutes wiped out more than an hour of dominant football, allowing UD Las Palmas to leave the UDA Stadium with a 2-1 win.

After creating chance after chance and deservedly taking the lead, the Rojiblancos looked in complete control. But a sudden lapse saw the Islanders score twice in the space of just 120 seconds, ending UD Almería’s unbeaten run at home and damaging their hopes of automatic promotion.

The Indálicos came flying out and nearly opened the scoring inside the first minute when Sergio Arribas broke through 1v1, only to send his finish inches wide. It was the first of several chances that somehow stayed out.

UD Almería continued to press. Álex Muñoz hit the crossbar in the 20th minute, while Embarba curled an effort just into the side netting. By half-time, the score remained goalless despite the hosts’ superiority.

UD Las Palmas improved after the break, but UD Almería still looked more dangerous. Embarba went close again with a header, before both sides traded huge chances around the hour mark. Andrés Fernández made an excellent save in a 1v1, while UD Las Palmas keeper Dinko Horkaš responded with a superb save from point-blank range.

The breakthrough finally came in the 60th minute. Miguel de la Fuente surged forward from midfield and fed Arribas, whose shot was saved but spilled into the path of Embarba, who converted from close range to open the scoring 1-0.

After an hour of dominance, UD Almería looked set to grab all 3 points. But the game changed in an instant.

Opponent Clemente equalised with an acrobatic finish and just seconds later Pejiño ran through to score the winner, completing a dramatic turnaround.

UD Almería threw everything forward in the closing stages, but the equaliser never came. A remarkable home winning run ended at the most difficult moment of the season, despite a performance that had deserved much more.