Las Palmas 2 - Zaragoza 1

Las Palmas: Nacho González; Edu Alonso, Alvaro, Schurrer, Paqui, Jarni; Ramón (Josico 46'), Samways, Jorge (Angel 77'); Guayre, Eloy (Orlando 58'). 5-3-2.
Zaragoza: Juanmi; Cuartero (Montenegro 83'), Aguado, Paco, Pablo; Toro Acuña, Aragón; Juanele (Rebosio 70'), Jamelli, Vellisca (Gurenko 70'); Yordi. 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Las Palmas: Edu Alonso, Guayre for Angel, Turdó / Zaragoza: Aragón for José Ignacio.

Goals:
0-1. 15. Jamelli. Ran on to Juanele quickly taken free kick to shoot past keeper.
1-1. 65. Orlando. Tap in after Edu Alonso passed in from right.
2-1. 73. Orlando. Following up after Juanmi saved long shot.

Las Palmas came back from behind to take the three points and effectively ensure first division football at the Insular stadium next season. Both team started the day on 39 points, six points clear of the relegation zone but not yet safe with another five games to come. Zaragoza took an early lead through Jamelli thanks to Juanele's quick thinking, the veteran forward taking a rapid free kick to put the Brazilian through with the Las Palmas defence still deciding how to organize their defensive wall. The goal came against the run of play though, but Las Palmas were unable to take advantage of their many chances, with Ramón heading against the bar and Guayre, returning after a one match ban, not on his usual form.

Sergio Kresic brought on Josico for Ramón at the break, and after Schurrer had hit the woodwork again with a header, decided to bring on his faithful old striker Orlando. The move worked to perfection, with the substitute scoring twice within a quarter of an hour of coming on to turn the game around in favour of the team he first played for in the second division B. Luis Costa made the mistake of replacing his two wide midfield men Juanele and Vellisca with defenders Rebosio and Gurenko with the scores level, and missing the injured Esnaider and the suspended José Ignacio, they were unable to create any danger, despite the addition of Montenegro late in the game.

Orlando should have had his hat-trick after Guayre put him though near the end, but he had already done enough to win it and take the Canary Islanders into a comfortable twelfth place. They have to remain in the top flight if only to sort out their financial problems, with a travel company getting a court order to embargo the gate money from this match to offset debts dating back over six months. Some of their young stars could leave this summer to help pay off their debts, but that will be another story. Right now they have achieved their objective for this year, and can already celebrate. Zaragoza have to wait a little longer, now only four points above the bottom three, although they too have the quality to survive. Then they can concentrate on the Spanish cup semi-finals, their only remaining route to Europe next year.