Espanyol pulled off a stunning upset against Real Madrid, reigning champions and current league leaders, winning 1-0 at their home ground on Saturday, February 1, 2025. This victory was pivotal, allowing Espanyol to move away from the relegation zone and tighten the race for the La Liga title, as Atletico Madrid is now just one point behind Madrid.
The match, held at RCDE Stadium, saw Carlos Romero score the decisive goal in the 85th minute, providing Espanyol with three much-needed points. Romero, who received an excellent pass from Omar Hilali, seamlessly placed the ball past Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, surprising the visitors and energizing the home crowd.
Despite controlling much of the game, particularly during the second half, Real Madrid was unable to convert their dominance on the field to goals. Coach Carlo Ancelotti lamented after the match, "We created chances but couldn't convert any, and when you give the opponent opportunities like we did, it can cost you, which it did today.” The loss marks the third defeat of the season for the mighty Madrid side, which is now under increased pressure as Atletico Madrid inches closer.
Before this fixture, Madrid led the league table with 49 points from 21 matches, having won 15, drawn 4, and lost 2. The defeat, though momentarily painful, will require them to regroup quickly, especially with Atletico Madrid winning their match against Mallorca 2-0 the same day.
For Espanyol, this win was significant, boosting their hopes of escaping relegation after struggling near the bottom of the table. They entered the match sitting 18th, having accumulated only 20 points. But after the victory, they gained precious breathing room, enhancing their position and shifting away from the immediate threat of dropping out of the top tier of Spanish football.
The history between these teams has been rich, with Madrid winning 117 out of the 198 encounters before this match. Earlier this season, Real Madrid showcased their strength with a resounding 4-1 victory over Espanyol at Santiago Bernabéu. Yet, this latest match flipped expectations on their head.
Before the match, hopes were high for Real Madrid, bolstered by their recent 3-0 win over Brest in the Champions League, where they advanced to the knockout stages. Coach Ancelotti was aiming to cement their lead over fellow title rivals, yet Espanyol was determined to surprise.
With the teams settling back down, Real Madrid will need to train intensively to prepare for the upcoming matches as they confront the challenge of maintaining their title aspirations. Espanyol, buoyed by this victory, will look to build momentum and secure their survival in La Liga.
The next matches will certainly highlight the intensity of La Liga, where every point counts. Fans will now be watching closely how this unexpected twist will influence the title race as the season progresses.