Eibar needs to turn things round in Las Palmas, after losing 2-3 in Ipurua
UD Las Palmas scored the winner when Mendilibar’s team was playing with nine men after the expulsion of Hajrovic and Escalante
Eibar will have to turn things round next Wednesday in Gran Canaria to reach the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey after losing 2-3 in Ipurua to UD Las Palmas.
The final stretch of the game, during which the Canary Islanders scored their third goal, was characterised by the numeric inferiority of the Armeros’ team after the expulsion of Izet Hajrovic and Gonzalo Escalante.
The match began at a tremendous pace and with both teams determined to take control of the game, but it was the Eibar team that was able to push further forward and had more chances of scoring.
In the tenth minute, Bosnian Izet Hajrovic took advantage of a fine long through ball from Simone Verdi to beat the advancing Raúl Lizoain and score his first goal for Eibar.
But the team from the Canary Islands soon drew level from a dead-ball situation. A free-kick by Valerón from the left was headed into the net by Aythami, taking advantage of a defensive error by the local team.
Scarcely four minutes had passed when Saúl put his team ahead again when he whipped the ball into the net with his left foot following a cross from David Juncà from the left.
Neither team enjoyed clear domination of the game, but Eibar had created more danger in the rival’s goal mouth and so were able to reach half-time with a one goal advantage.
After the break, Verdi had the chance to make it 3-1, but his shot, following a fine run, went high.
The equalizer from the “yellows” came from a set piece. Wakaso launched a missile from outside the area straight from the free kick and Irureta could do nothing to prevent the goal.
Eibar pressed hard in search of the third goal against a very organised and disciplined Las Palmas. The goal could have come in minute 78, after a killer pass from Saúl, which Sergi Enrich struck from close range, but Lizoain was alert and saved the shot. Enrich tried to take advantage of the rebound but was blocked by a defender.
Shortly after this came the expulsions, with direct red cards for Hajrovic (minute 81) and Escalante (minute 86), which left the Armeros with a clear disadvantage, and this was exploited by their opponents who made the score 2-3 in the 90th minute with a fine shot from Momo.
The second leg will take place in six days, and Mendilibar’s team will have to turn things around away from home if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the cup.