Real Madrid’s six-match unbeaten run in LaLiga came to a shocking end as Espanyol secured a dramatic 1-0 victory on Saturday night.
A late Carlos Romero volley gave the hosts a crucial win, lifting them out of the relegation zone, while Los Blancos saw their lead at the top shrink to just one point over Atletico Madrid.
Match Recap
First Half
- 21′ | Disallowed Goal – Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
- Vinicius Junior thought he had put Madrid ahead, curling a brilliant shot past Joan Garcia after a pass from Kylian Mbappe.
- However, the goal was ruled out after a foul by Mbappe on Pol Lozano in the build-up.
- Espanyol defended deep, limiting Madrid’s chances, while the visitors dominated possession.
Second Half
- Madrid intensified their attack, with Jude Bellingham, Mbappe, and Rodrygo all coming close:
- Bellingham forced a strong save from Joan Garcia.
- Mbappe hit the outside of the post from the rebound.
- Rodrygo struck the foot of the near post after a brilliant solo run.
- 85′ | Goal – Espanyol 1-0 Real Madrid ⚽
- Carlos Romero met Omar El Hilali’s cross with a stunning volley past Thibaut Courtois to give Espanyol the lead in the dying minutes.
- Madrid pushed for an equalizer but Joan Garcia’s heroics ensured Espanyol held on for a famous victory.
Player Ratings & Stats
Espanyol (4-4-2)
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| GK: Joan Garcia | 8.6/10 ⭐ (Man of the Match) |
| RB: Omar El Hilali | 7.5/10 |
| CB: Marash Kumbulla | 7.3/10 |
| CB: Leandro Cabrera | 7.2/10 |
| LB: Carlos Romero | 8.0/10 ⚽ |
| RM: Javier Puado | 6.8/10 |
| CM: Pol Lozano | 7.1/10 |
| CM: Keidi Bare | 7.2/10 |
| LM: Aleix Vidal | 6.9/10 |
| ST: Javi Tejero | 6.7/10 |
| ST: Roberto Fernandez | 7.0/10 |
🔄 Substitutes:
- José Gragera (70′) – 6.4/10
- Salvi Sanchez (80′) – 6.2/10
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
| Player | Rating |
|---|---|
| GK: Thibaut Courtois | 6.4/10 |
| RB: Lucas Vazquez | 6.7/10 |
| CB: Raul Asencio | 6.9/10 |
| CB: Antonio Rudiger | 7.1/10 |
| LB: Ferland Mendy | 6.5/10 |
| CM: Federico Valverde | 7.0/10 |
| CM: Aurelien Tchouameni | 6.8/10 |
| RW: Rodrygo | 7.4/10 |
| AM: Jude Bellingham | 7.3/10 |
| LW: Kylian Mbappe | 7.5/10 |
| ST: Vinicius Junior | 7.2/10 |
🔄 Substitutes:
- Joselu (70′) – 6.3/10
- Eduardo Camavinga (80′) – 6.5/10
Key Takeaways
✅ Espanyol Shock Madrid – The win lifts Espanyol out of the relegation zone, now sitting 17th in LaLiga.
✅ Madrid’s Dominance Without Goals –
- Los Blancos had 76% possession (their highest in an away LaLiga game since 2005-06).
- They took 21 shots but only managed an xG of 1.78.
✅ Joan Garcia’s Heroics – The Espanyol goalkeeper made 7 crucial saves, keeping Madrid’s attack at bay.
✅ Title Race Heats Up – Madrid’s lead is now just one point over Atletico Madrid, making next week’s Madrid Derby crucial.
Final Verdict
Espanyol pulled off the biggest upset of the weekend, frustrating Madrid with resolute defending and clinical finishing.
Despite Madrid’s dominance, Joan Garcia stood firm, while Carlos Romero’s stunning late strike sealed three massive points for Espanyol.
For Carlo Ancelotti’s side, the title race just got even tighter, and they now face Atletico Madrid in a must-win derby next week.
🔥 Can Madrid recover from this setback, or will Atletico Madrid overtake them? Let us know your thoughts! 👇
Final Score: Espanyol 1-0 Real Madrid
