Real Madrid endured a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Espanyol in their La Liga encounter at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona on Saturday evening.
The game was largely dominated by Real Madrid, with their attacking force, led by the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, threatening Espanyol’s defense throughout.
Despite having several chances to break the deadlock, Real Madrid’s attack lacked precision and fluidity, with Espanyol’s goalkeeper, Joan García, emerging as a standout performer, making key saves to deny the visitors.
Espanyol’s defense, organized and resilient, managed to frustrate Real Madrid, who struggled to break through their compact lines.
As the match neared its conclusion, with both teams seemingly heading for a draw, Espanyol struck in the 84th minute. A swift counterattack saw Carlos Romero latch onto a well-placed ball inside the penalty area, calmly slotting it past Real Madrid’s goalkeeper to give Espanyol an unexpected lead.
The goal sent the home fans into ecstasy, while Real Madrid’s players were left stunned, unable to mount a serious response in the closing stages.
The loss marks another difficult moment for Real Madrid, who have struggled with consistency in recent weeks. This defeat not only leaves them with concerns over their domestic form but also puts additional pressure on them ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash with Manchester City. The match also intensified the La Liga title race, with Barcelona now closing the gap on the leaders.
