Barcelona’s 125th anniversary celebrations were supposed to be a day of glory, but Las Palmas had other plans. In a shocking turn of events, the La Liga underdogs triumphed 2-1 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, ruining the Catalan giants’ big day. What was meant to be a celebration of history turned into a bitter disappointment for Xavi’s men.
Barcelona came into the match riding high at the top of La Liga. But Las Palmas had a point to prove. Sandro Ramirez gave the visitors a surprise lead early in the second half, sending shockwaves through the stadium. Raphinha quickly responded with a thunderous strike to equalize, but Las Palmas had the final word. Fabio Silva, ever clinical, netted the winner to secure all three points for his side.
It was a game that Barcelona should have won, but it was clear they were not firing on all cylinders. The match had started with the Catalans in control. However, Las Palmas’ resilience and counter-attacking brilliance eventually turned the tide in their favour.
How Barcelona’s 125th anniversary turned sour
Saturday’s game had more than just points at stake—it was a momentous occasion for Barcelona, who were celebrating their 125th anniversary. The club wore white shorts, a nod to their early days back in 1899. A gala the night before had set the stage for what was supposed to be a historic win.
But instead of jubilation, Barcelona fans were left heartbroken. The anniversary celebration that was meant to be a symbol of their dominance was marred by a loss that snapped their 11-match unbeaten run in La Liga. The defeat also stretched their winless streak to three games, a rare blip in an otherwise dominant season.
Las Palmas were not expected to pose much of a threat. But underestimating the Canary Islanders was a mistake Barcelona would regret. They came out with energy and conviction, pressing high and breaking quickly when they had the chance.
Jasper Cillessen, who once donned the Barcelona shirt, was in inspired form, keeping Las Palmas in the game early on with a crucial save from Fermin Lopez. But despite Barcelona’s pressure, they struggled to break down their opponents. Alejandro Balde was forced off with a concussion after a clash with Sandro, and Barcelona’s rhythm was disrupted further.
Las Palmas pounce on Barcelona’s vulnerabilities
In the first half, Barcelona created several chances. Raphinha had a goal disallowed for offside and struck the crossbar after a fine pass from Gavi. But despite their dominance, they couldn’t get the breakthrough.
The second half saw Las Palmas come out with a bang. Kirian Rodriguez played a brilliant pass to Sandro Ramirez, who made no mistake, firing past Inaki Pena from the edge of the box to put the visitors ahead.
But Barcelona responded quickly, with Raphinha smashing home a long-range shot to equalize. It looked like the momentum was shifting back in their favour. However, Las Palmas weren’t done yet.
A clever through ball from Javi Munoz found Fabio Silva, who made a brilliant run and fired home to restore the visitors’ lead. It was a clinical finish from the striker, his fifth goal in eight league matches, and it proved to be the match-winner.
Barcelona’s struggle to salvage its 125th anniversary
Barcelona threw everything at Las Palmas in the final stages. Xavi brought on teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, hoping the 16-year-old could make an impact. Yamal tested Cillessen, but the Dutch goalkeeper was in fine form, making several key saves.
With eight minutes of stoppage time added, Barcelona fans hoped for a dramatic finish. Robert Lewandowski had a golden chance to equalize, but Las Palmas defenders scrambled to block the shot, and Cillessen was once again called into action. The visitors held on through the final seconds, clinching a memorable win and sending shockwaves through the league.
While Barcelona still hold a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table, the defeat to Las Palmas raises concerns. Madrid, with two games in hand, will be looking to close the gap. Barcelona, meanwhile, need to find their form again. The loss to Las Palmas is a reminder that even the biggest clubs can falter, especially when they take their eyes off the prize.
For Las Palmas, this win is a huge boost. They move up to 14th in the league, and their confidence will be sky-high after toppling the league leaders. It’s a victory that will be remembered for years to come.
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