Real Madrid travelled to Las Palmas on Saturday night needing to avoid defeat in order to return to the top of La Liga.
The visitors led in the 33rd minute courtesy of a close-range header from Marco Asensio, but Las Palmas were level five minutes later courtesy of a well-placed finish from Tana.
Real Madrid came on strong in the second period and scored a second through Karim Benzema in the 67th minute, but Las Palmas secured a late point courtesy of a Sergio Araujo effort five minutes from time.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
6.46pmEvening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from Gran Canaria as Las Palmas welcome Real Madrid. On paper, this is a very attractive game between two teams that have started the season well. So, with that in mind, let's hope that the football produces! Real Madrid need to avoid defeat if they are to return to the summit ahead of Barcelona, who won 5-0 at Sporting Gijon this afternoon.
6.49pmSince 2000, these two teams have met on six occasions in Spain's top flight. Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid lead the head-to-head record five wins to Las Palmas' one, and Los Blancos recorded two victories during the 2015-16 campaign. Their first top-flight clash since 2002 ended in a 3-1 Real Madrid win at the Bernabeu, before the Madrid giants returned a 2-1 victory at this ground.
6.52pmIt was far from straightforward for Real Madrid in the corresponding fixture last season, however, with the Spanish giants needing an 89th-minute winner from Casemiro after Willian Jose had levelled the scores three minutes from time. Las Palmas took the game to Real Madrid when the pair met last term and it will be interesting to see if they adopt a similar tactic in tonight's match.
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6.55pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news from Gran Canaria. Has either manager shuffled their pack from the midweek round of matches? Let's take a look...
6.58pmTEAMS!
LAS PALMAS: Varas; Michel, Garcia, Aythami, D.Castellano; Mesa, Gomez, Momo, Tana, Viera; Livaja
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; Kroos, Modric, Asensio; Bale, Morata, Ronaldo
7.02pmLas Palmas boss Quique Setien has shuffled his pack tonight, with Jonathan Viera, Aythami Artiles and Vicente Gomez among those returning to the XI. Momo is also recalled in midfield, while Marko Livaja, who has scored twice in four league appearances this season, will lead the line in place of Sergio Araujo. Kevin-Prince Boateng misses out after picking up a red card against Real Sociedad during the week.
7.05pmAs for Real Madrid, head coach Zinedine Zidane has made five changes from the team that started the 1-1 draw with Villarreal. Alvaro Morata replaces Karim Benzema at centre-forward, while Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Marco Asensio and Luka Modric replace Danilo, Marcelo, Casemiro and James Rodriguez. Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo both start despite their injury problems in recent weeks.
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7.08pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now just under 40 minutes from kickoff on this warm evening in Gran Canaria. I shall talk about Las Palmas a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid, who dropped their first points of the season at home to Villarreal on Wednesday night. The hosts dominated possession for long spells in the capital, but Villarreal were certainly worth a point.
7.12pmReal Madrid have already won one trophy this season after beating Sevilla in the European Super Cup towards the beginning of August, and they made a strong start to La Liga – winning 3-0 at Real Sociedad on the opening weekend. Then came a 2-1 victory at home to Celta Vigo, before Ronaldo made his return from a knee problem in a 5-2 victory against Osasuna at the Bernabeu.
7.15pmLos Blancos then opened their Champions League group campaign with a 2-1 win at home to Sporting Lisbon, before continuing their strong run of form with a 2-0 victory at Espanyol last weekend. They were looking for a league-record 17th straight win on Wednesday night, but could only draw 1-1 with Villarreal, who led late in the first period courtesy of a Bruno spot kick.
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7.18pmReal Madrid have actually dropped to second in the table courtesy of Barcelona's 5-0 win at Sporting Gijon earlier this afternoon, but a draw would be enough to take Los Blancos back to the summit. Can Real Madrid win their first La Liga title since 2012? Absolutely. Will they? Well, Barcelona and Atletico, who played out a 1-1 draw on Wednesday, will have something to say about it.
7.22pmIn terms of what is ahead for Real Madrid, they will travel to Borussia Dortmund in their second Champions League group match on Tuesday night, before hosting Eibar and travelling to Real Betis in the league either side of the international break. When do Real Madrid take on the big boys in the league? Well, they are away to Atletico on November 20 and away to Barcelona on December 4.
7.25pmAs for Las Palmas, a solid start to the campaign has left them in seventh position in the table on nine points. They opened the season with a brilliant 4-2 win away at Valencia, before putting five past Granada on the second weekend to rise to the top of the table. Their first setback came on September 10, however, as they lost 2-1 at Sevilla in what was another impressive performance.
7.28pm
Eight of the Las Palmas starting XI are actually from Las Palmas and the surrounding area! Nice to see... https://t.co/bGjZC5vCEM
— Phil Kitromilides (@PhilKitro) September 24, 2016
7.32pmThe Yellows returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Malaga on September 17, but will enter this match off the back of a 4-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on Wednesday. It has been an impressive start to the campaign, however, and they have triumphed in both home league matches this season.
7.35pmLas Palmas returned to the top flight of Spanish football when they came through the Segunda Division playoffs in the 2014-15 campaign and they were very impressive last season – finishing in 11th position in the table. Indeed, they were six points clear of the relegation zone and only four points behind eighth-place Malaga, which was some achievement on their return to this level.
7.38pmIt was a fairly busy summer in terms of incomings at Las Palmas, with Mauricio Lemos, Mateo Garcia, Marko Livaja, Michel, Helder Lopes and a certain Kevin-Prince Boateng all arriving. Only two of those players actually cost money and they have some very talented players in their ranks. Indeed, Roque Mesa is a player believed to be attracting interest from both Leicester City and Arsenal.
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7.42pmIn terms of what is ahead for Quique Setien's team, they will travel to Osasuna next weekend, before hosting Espanyol after the international break on October 14. The month then ends with matches at Villarreal and at home to Celta Vigo and it will be very interesting to see where they sit at the end of next month. Right, kickoff is now just around the corner on this warm night in Gran Canaria!
7.44pmTEAMS!
LAS PALMAS: Varas; Michel, Garcia, Aythami, D.Castellano; Mesa, Gomez, Momo, Tana, Viera; Livaja
REAL: Casilla; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; Kroos, Modric, Asensio; Bale, Morata, Ronaldo
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off in Gran Canaria...
2 min... just a reminder that Real Madrid need a point in order to return to the top of the table ahead of Barcelona, who won 5-0 at Sporting Gijon this afternoon. Las Palmas have made an impressive start, however, and will be confident of causing the visitors some problems tonight. Should be a good one!
4 minBoth teams are just feeling their way into this match in the early exchanges. As expected, Las Palmas are pressing high up the field and have not given Real Madrid time and space to settle.
4 minRonaldo cuts inside and strikes towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide.
6 minVery interesting to see Asensio in the Real Madrid XI tonight ahead of the likes of Isco and James Rodriguez. Not sure those two will be pleased but it is a brilliant chance for Asensio once again.
7 minSAVE! Real Madrid have the first shot on target as Kroos picks Mesa's pocket in a central position before having a go, but Varas was on hand to make the save. Comfortable stop.
8 minSAVE! Another chance for the away side as Morata meets a super free kick from Kroos, but Varas is on hand to make the save. The goalkeeper made a bit of a meal of it though!
11 minNot too much from Las Palmas going forward in the opening 11 minutes of this match, but they have managed to enjoy some possession in the last couple of minutes, which has taken the sting out of Real Madrid's football, which was growing with every minute. It has been a good watch thus far here.
12 minCouple of penalty appeals from Real Madrid, who want handball before Ronaldo goes to ground inside the box. However, the referee is not interested. The first one looked to be handball, but Ronaldo fell very easily inside the box. Las Palmas might well have got away with one there.
14 minRonaldo fluffs his lines! Morata does brilliantly to pick out the Portuguese on the edge of the Las Palmas box, but the ball gets stuck under Ronaldo's feet. Quite a funny moment there!
16 minWonderful noise inside the stadium as the home supporters back their team, but Real Madrid are really pressing forward at the moment and it appears that the opening goal will soon arrive here.
18 minRonaldo has another sighter for the away side, but his effort from distance was always moving wide of the post. Las Palmas are doing their best to work the ball into the final third, but they cannot get lone forward Livaja in the match at the moment. Jonathan Viera has also had a quiet 18 minutes here.
19 minSAVE! Comfortable save for Varas, who keeps out Morata's curling strike.
20 minCHANCE! Just about Las Palmas' best chance of the match as Dani Castellano finds Viera with a clever cross inside the Real Madrid box, but the attacker cannot produce a clean strike!
23 minLas Palmas have the opportunity to threaten from a deep free kick, but Varane gets up above everyone to make the clearance. The ball is recycled and again delivered into the away side's box, but it has too much pace and Casilla restarts play with a goal kick. Still goalless with 23 minutes played.
23 minBOOKING! Mesa (Las Palmas) is booked for dissent.
25 minCHANCES! Big scramble inside the Las Palmas box as Real Madrid look certain to make the breakthrough, but the ball is cleared after a host of bodies fly in! Ronaldo and Morata both have shots, but Garcia is among those that blocks for the hosts. Crikey, bit of a bundle there!
26 minMorata turns a header into the arms of Varas as Real Madrid work another half-chance.
27 minCHANCES! Tana creeps away from the Real Madrid defence before collecting a pass from Viera, but his volley is straight at Casilla. Moments later, Casilla has to get down and save from Viera.
30 minIt is a really good game at the moment as both teams continue to commit players in the final third and you just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be crucial. Real Madrid are still dominating possession, but Las Palmas look a threat when they break with pace.
32 minVaras palms a Bale cross into his own box and Morata goes down under a challenge from Garcia, but the referee is not interested. Morata went down a little easy, but there looked to be contact.
33 minGOAL! Las Palmas 0-1 Real Madrid (Asensio)
34 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough in the 33rd minute of this match as Asensio heads home from close range after Varas had pushed a Nacho effort into his own box. Big goal for the capital side!
36 minThis was threatening to be a very difficult night for Real Madrid, but that is a massive goal at this stage of the match. Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the visitors lead here.
38 minGOAL! Las Palmas 1-1 Real Madrid (Tana)
39 minNow then! Las Palmas level the scores in the 38th minute of this match as Tana curls one into the bottom corner after Momo had delivered a dangerous cross into the Real Madrid box!
41 minI expected an open and entertaining game here, and that has indeed been the case. The opening 41 minutes of this match have absolutely flown past and Las Palmas now do not want half-time to arrive!
43 minJust a reminder that a point would be enough for Real Madrid to return to the top of the table tonight, but there is no question that they will be going for all three in the second period. Both Bale and Ronaldo have been a little bit disappointing in the first period, but credit to Las Palmas for that.
44 minSAVE! Varas gets down well to keep out a half-volley from Bale.
45 min+1HALF-TIME: Las Palmas 1-1 Real Madrid
8.32pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 1-1 after Tana cancelled out Asensio's 33rd-minute opener. Real Madrid have had the better of the opportunities, but Las Palmas have pulled their way back into the match in impressive fashion.
8.37pmSTATISTICS! Las Palmas have actually dominated the possession with 59%, while they have hit the target with three of their four attempts thus far. Real Madrid, meanwhile, had an incredible 17 attempts in that first period - six of which were on target, but they only managed one goal.
8.42pmBENCH WATCH! Las Palmas have plenty of attacking options on their bench, with Araujo, El Zhar and Tyronne all capable of influencing matters in the second period. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have an embarrassment of options on their bench - Isco, Benzema, Lucas and James all in reserve.
8.45pm
HT: @UDLP_Oficial 1-1 @realmadriden (Tana 38'; @marcoasensio10 33').#RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/M7azR2CioK
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 24, 2016
46 minRESTART! The home side resume the action in Gran Canaria...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
48 minSAVE! Super counter-attack from the away side as Ronaldo drives down the left before delivering a low cross into Bale, but Varas is once again on hand to make a really smart save.
50 minIt almost goes without saying, but the next goal in this game is massive. Real Madrid will really fancy their chances if they can take the lead once again, but a goal for Las Palmas could see this stadium absolutely rock. Both managers have sent a couple of subs to warm up in the last minute.
52 minAppears that Las Palmas are going to have to make a change here as Viera hits the deck and appears to clutch at his hamstring. That would be a blow for Las Palmas at this stage of the match.
53 minLAS PALMAS SUB! El Zhar replaces Viera for Las Palmas.
54 minBOOKING! Garcia (Las Palmas) is booked for dissent.
56 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. I suspect we have not seen the last of the cards!
56 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo finishes from close range after a brilliant run from Bale, but the attacker was in an offside position when he converted. Ronaldo is more involved now.
58 minBOOKING! Kroos (Real Madrid) is booked for a heavy tackle on Gomez.
61 minStill no movement on the Real Madrid bench, but Zidane has plenty of attacking options on the sidelines and it will be interesting to see how long the Frenchman waits. Benzema, Isco and James Rodriguez will all hope to feature in the final 30 minutes. You sense that a change needs to be made.
63 minPossession football from the away side as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, but they are finding it difficult to open up this Las Palmas team, who have been good value tonight.
63 minCasilla gets down to save a weak shot from Vicente Gomez.
64 minREAL MADRID SUB! Benzema replaces Asensio in Real Madrid's first change.
65 minCHANCE! Immediate chance for Benzema as the ball falls for the Frenchman inside the Las Palmas box, but he can only poke into the arms of Varas, who collects!
67 minYou just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Morata has dropped into an attacking midfield role here, leaving Benzema, Bale and Ronaldo as the front three. Las Palmas might have to ride their luck now.
67 minGOAL! Las Palmas 1-2 Real Madrid (Benzema)
68 minAnd it is 2-1 Real Madrid! Varas makes a super stop to keep out a close-range Ronaldo effort, but it falls for Benzema and the Frenchman fires home from close range. What a blow for the hosts!
69 minLAS PALMAS SUB! Araujo replaces Momo for the home side.
71 minLas Palmas just need to be careful that they do not concede a third in the next couple of minutes as Real Madrid continue to commit players in the final third. Another goal would be game, set and match.
73 minREAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vasquez replaces Ronaldo for the visitors.
75 minOne wondered whether that was a pre-arranged change, but Ronaldo did not look too pleased to leave the field, that is for sure. Has not been the Portuguese's best night though it must be said.
77 minLas Palmas are still in this match, make no mistake about that. Real Madrid are in control of the possession, but the home side will always stand a change of responding while the score is 2-1.
77 minBOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a poor tackle on Tana.
79 minNot a happy man...
Ronaldo OFF, Lucas ON [via @casadelfutbol] pic.twitter.com/W9lRECGZzA
— SPORT English (@Sport_EN) September 24, 2016
81 minREAL MADRID SUB! Isco replaces Morata for Real Madrid.
83 minLittle over five minutes of normal time remaining here and Real Madrid still lead 2-1 courtesy of that close-range Benzema finish in the 67th minute. The visitors are managing the game here.
85 minGOAL! Las Palmas 2-2 Real Madrid (Araujo)
86 minOh my word! Las Palmas equalise in the 85th minute of this match as Araujo turns home from close range after a mix-up inside the Real Madrid box. Casilla made a smart save from close range, but the ball fell for the little Argentine and placed home from close range to level it at 2-2!
88 minLAS PALMAS SUB! Lemos replaces Livaja for the home side.
90 min+1We are into the first of four additional minutes in Gran Canaria.
90 min+2CHANCE! Cracking chance for Benzema, but he volleys over at the far post!
90 min+3Time is running out for Real Madrid as Las Palmas continue to clear their lines here.
90 min+4CHANCE! Isco heads a Carvajal cross over from close range!
90 min+5FULL-TIME: Las Palmas 2-2 Real Madrid
9.36pmSo there we have it. Real Madrid return to the top of La Liga courtesy of their point tonight, but it really should have been all three. Credit to Las Palmas for twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Zidane's side. That is just about it from me tonight. Thanks for joining us once again!
