Real Madrid lose to Espanyol 1-0 on Saturday evening in La Liga, a disappointing result for the Spanish giants. Despite dominating possession, Real Madrid couldn’t find the back of the net, and a late strike by Carlos Romero in the 85th minute secured the victory for Espanyol. This defeat marked a frustrating setback for Madrid as they looked to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga standings.
Early Controversy and Injury Concerns
The match began with some controversy when Espanyol’s Joffre appeared to handle the ball in the penalty area. However, referee Muniz Ruiz opted not to award a penalty, and the VAR team did not intervene. This decision left Real Madrid feeling aggrieved.
To make matters worse, Madrid suffered an injury setback early on, as Antonio Rudiger went down with muscle pain in the 15th minute. He was replaced by Raul Asensio, forcing a tactical change for Madrid.
Disallowed Goal for Vinicius Junior
In the 21st minute, Real Madrid thought they had taken the lead through Vinicius Junior’s powerful shot. However, after reviewing the footage, the referee ruled out the goal for a foul by Kylian Mbappe on Espanyol’s Paul Lozano before the assist. Madrid was left frustrated by the decision.
Espanyol’s Late Winner
The match was deadlocked until the 85th minute when Espanyol capitalized on a well-delivered cross from Omar Al Hilali. Carlos Romero met the ball with a clinical finish, sending it past Thibaut Courtois to give Espanyol the lead.
Madrid’s Final Push Falls Short
Real Madrid tried to respond, but their efforts were in vain. They had a chance to equalize when Rodrigo’s shot hit the post in the 75th minute, and despite continued pressure, Madrid couldn’t find the breakthrough. As the final whistle blew, Espanyol emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, leaving Real Madrid with no points from the match.
