RCD Espanyol narrowly edged out Las Palmas with a 1-0 victory on Sunday, thanks to a late goal from Wu Lei.
The Chinese striker was introduced as a substitute in the 72nd minute and quickly made his mark, scoring the only goal of the match in the 84th minute.
Wu Lei had been on the bench for much of the game, but his presence was felt immediately when he came on. He played a key role in creating chances for his teammates and helped set up the winning goal.
Las Palmas, who were without their captain and top scorer in the absence of injured defender David Lopez, struggled to create any real opportunities against the Spanish side.
Espanyol, meanwhile, dominated possession and created numerous chances throughout the match. Their forward line, led by Wu Lei, looked dangerous at times, but it was the substitutes who ultimately delivered the decisive blow.
With the win, RCD Espanyol moved up to fifth place in La Liga, while Las Palmas remain in eighth place.
Overall, Wu Lei's impact as a substitute was crucial to Espanyol's victory. His ability to score a vital goal and create chances for his teammates will be welcomed by coach Luis Enrique, who is looking to strengthen his squad ahead of the upcoming international break.
