ESPANYOL CREATES LALIGA EARTHQUAKE
Written by Neo Molefi on February 3, 2025
Written by: Floyd Nkanyane
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Spanish football, relegation-threatened Espanyol pulled off one of the season’s biggest upsets by defeating league leaders Real Madrid 1-0 at the RCDE Stadium. The stunning victory, sealed by Carlos Romero’s brilliant 85th-minute volley, has blown the La Liga title race wide open and breathed new life into Blanc-i-blaus fight for survival.
The match was a masterclass in defensive resilience, with Espanyol’s goalkeeper Joan Garcia emerging as an unlikely hero. Garcia, who made an astounding seven saves throughout the match, repeatedly frustrated Real Madrid’s star-studded attack. Even more remarkably, this defeat ended Real Madrid’s extraordinary run of scoring in 31 consecutive away games in La Liga – a streak that had stood as a testament to their offensive prowess.
Real Madrid’s performance painted a peculiar picture of dominance without end product. Despite orchestrating a season-high 793 passes and maintaining relentless pressure, particularly in the second half, Carlo Ancelotti’s men found themselves repeatedly thwarted by Espanyol’s disciplined defensive unit. A disallowed goal by Vinicius Jr., following some elegant footwork and combination play with Mbappe, only added to Madrid’s frustration on a night where nothing seemed to go their way.
The decisive moment came in the 85th minute when Espanyol launched a lightning-quick counterattack. The combination play between Lozano, El Hilali, and eventually Romero carved open Madrid’s disorganized defense. El Hilali’s precise cross found Romero, who unleashed a devastating volley past a helpless Thibaut Courtois, sending the RCDE Stadium into delirium.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid capitalized on their rivals’ stumble, securing a confident 2-0 victory over Mallorca. Samuel Lino’s 26th-minute opener and Antoine Griezmann’s stoppage-time clincher ensured they kept pace in the title race, now sitting just one point behind Real Madrid. Their dominant performance, featuring 17 shots and controlling 53% of possession, sent a clear message that they’re ready to challenge for the crown.
Barcelona, too, maintained their championship hopes alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Alavés. Robert Lewandowski’s 61st-minute strike proved enough in a match where the Catalans showed efficiency rather than their usual flair. While their performance might not have dazzled, the result cut their deficit to leaders Real Madrid to just four points.
The weekend’s results have set up an enthralling scenario in La Liga, with the upcoming Madrid derby between Real and Atlético taking on monumental importance. For Espanyol, their heroic victory has lifted them to 17th place, offering hope in their battle against relegation.
La Liga EA Sports Matchday 22 of 38
Monday, 03 February 2025
Girona vs Las Palmas at Montilivi (22:00)
Sunday, 02 February 2025
Real Betis 2 – 2 Athletic Club
Osasuna 2 – 1 Real Sociedad
Valencia 2 – 1 Celta Vigo
Barcelona 1 – 0 Deportivo Alaves
Saturday, 01 February 2025
Espanyol 1 – 0 Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid 2 – 0 Mallorca
Villarreal 5 – 1 Real Valladolid
Getafe 0 – 0 Sevilla
Friday, 31 January 2025
Leganés 0 – 1 Rayo Vallecano