A solitary goal by Radiopane in the 85th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error and an offside position by Adri Suárez, decided the match. The yellow team had two clear chances to avoid defeat, with shots from Taisei Miyashiro and Valentín Pezzolesi hitting the posts late in the game.
The difference in match fitness between the two teams was noticeable, with the South African side imposing their high press and speed on the wings, which hampered the islanders' midfield and defense. The match allowed for initial impressions of new signings like Andrés Rodríguez, who showed physical power, and Sergio Ruiz, with tactical intelligence, while Mateo Acimovic had a more subdued performance.
Rubén de la Barrera's starting lineup varied between a 4-3-2-1 and a 4-1-4-1 formation, with José Antonio Caro in goal, who made several key saves in the first half. After halftime, Adri Suárez replaced the goalkeeper. The team attempted to maintain its possession-based DNA from the back, but Orlando Pirates balanced the forces with their physicality and intensity.
Despite the opponent's pressure, UD Las Palmas had chances, including a shot from Elías that narrowly missed the goal and an action by Manu Fuster. The defense, led by Juanma Herzog, also made crucial interventions to prevent the South Africans from advancing. The first half ended goalless, despite scares and saves by Caro.
After the break, numerous substitutions were made, with players like Acimovic, Andrés Rodríguez, and Sergio Ruiz making their debuts. Orlando Pirates also made wholesale changes, and it was Radiopane, a recent substitute, who scored the winning goal after a run down the wing.
In the final minutes, UD Las Palmas pushed for an equalizer with a three-man defense, and Pezzolesi came close to scoring when he hit another ball against the crossbar. The match concluded with the yellow team's defeat, confirming a difficult start for coach Rubén de la Barrera.
