Espanyol Shock Real Madrid as Atletico Close Gap

Real Madrid lost 1-0 at Espanyol on Sunday, leaving them leading La Liga by one point. Carlos Romero’s 85th-minute goal secured a win for the 17th-placed hosts, looking to avoid relegation. Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 win over Mallorca brought them within a point of Los Blancos, ahead of the big derby at the Santiago Bernabeu next weekend.

Moreover, Real Madrid were outraged when Romero was only cautioned for a nasty foul on Kylian Mbappe before scoring the winner. However, Carlo Ancelotti’s team struggled to capitalise on a seemingly favourable match.

Romero

Romero regretted cutting down the French celebrity. In the first half, Espanyol kept the Spanish and European champions at bay. Antonio Rudiger limped out in the first half, hurting Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League play-off against Manchester City in two weeks. Vinicius Junior scored Madrid’s sole goal, but it was disallowed due to Mbappe’s foul on his marker. On a rare Espanyol attempt, Thibaut Courtois saved Jofre Carreras’ low shot.

Madrid started the second half stronger, as Espanyol custodian Joan Garcia saved Jude Bellingham and Mbappe hit the post from close range. So, Los Blancos were incensed when Romero was only booked for a dirty slide tackle from behind to chop down Mbappe as he broke over the halfway line.

Rodriguez jinked away from Romero

He fired into the side netting before having another shot stopped, while Garcia saved a nasty Mbappe shot as Madrid took control. A quick Espanyol counter-attack by Omar El Hilali set up Romero to score at the back post, shocking the visitors. Also, Espanyol fans cheered Mbappe’s late goal to conclude the game, as Los Blancos did not create much danger in the seven minutes of added time. Atletico Madrid defeated Mallorca comfortably, increasing pressure on Real ahead of their meeting.

Before Lino scored, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth impressed for the Rojiblancos. Mallorca, fifth, had some chances after the break in a tighter second period that was decided by Griezmann’s exquisite chip. Lastly, Barcelona, third, hosts Alaves on Sunday to stay behind the top two.