Real Madrid Stunned by Espanyol, Atletico Narrow LaLiga Lead

Real Madrid now leads La Liga by one point after their 1-0 loss to Espanyol on Sunday. The 17th-place hosts, hoping to escape relegation, won thanks to a goal from Carlos Romero in the 85th minute. Ahead of the crucial derby at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend, Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Mallorca moved them within one point of Los Blancos.

Romero only received a warning for a horrible foul on Kylian Mbappe before scoring the game-winning goal, which infuriated Real Madrid.

The Italian coach was enraged. Romero was not dismissed. “This foul, the decision the referee and VAR took was inexplicable, everyone saw it,” he stated. “Player protection is essential. Although it was a hard tackle and a blatant foul, thankfully no significant injuries were sustained.

Real Madrid suffered an injury when Antonio Rudiger hobbled out in the first half, ahead of their Champions League play-off matchup with Manchester City in two weeks. The only goal for Madrid was scored by Vinicius Junior, but it was disallowed because Mbappe fouled his marker.

Thibaut Courtois

Thibaut Courtois saved Jofre Carreras’ low shot on a rare Espanyol attempt. Madrid got off to a better start in the second half after Mbappe struck the post from close range and Espanyol custodian Joan Garcia stopped Jude Bellingham.

When Romero was only booked for a brutal slide tackle from behind that chopped down Mbappe as he broke over the halfway line, Los Blancos were furious. As Madrid had the upper hand, Garcia prevented a vicious Mbappe shot, then Rodriguez ducked away from Romero and blasted into the side netting before another attempt was stopped.

Romero stunned the visitors by scoring at the back post after Omar El Hilali’s swift Espanyol counterattack. Since Los Blancos did not pose much of a threat in the seven minutes of extra time, Espanyol supporters applauded Mbappe’s late goal to end the match.

After a strong run by Giuliano Simeone, son of Atletico coach Diego Simeone, Samuel Lino scored in the 26th minute. To thrill the Metropolitano supporters, Antoine Griezmann, who began on the bench, scored the second goal in stoppage time with a spectacular lobbed finish. Simeone scored three points to mark his 500th La Liga match.

Real Madrid Stunned by Espanyol, Atletico Narrow LaLiga Lead Real Madrid Stunned by Espanyol, Atletico Narrow LaLiga Lead

“I’m thrilled about this journey,” he said to the media.

The Rojiblancos had impressive performances from Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth before to Lino’s goal. In a more tense second period that was determined by Griezmann’s beautiful chip, Mallorca, in fifth place, had a few chances following the break. Third-place Barcelona will visit Alaves on Sunday in an attempt to close the gap with the top two.

 

Latest

Advertisment

Related Stories

Leave A Reply

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here