Espanyol pulled off a surprise by beating Real Madrid 1-0 with a goal from Carlos Romero in the 85th minute, following a strong defensive performance and an outstanding display by Joan García in goal. This victory allowed the Catalans to temporarily escape the relegation zone.

Real Madrid's Dominance, but No Reward

Real Madrid, featuring stars like Mbappé, Rodrygo, Vinícius, and Bellingham, showed their strength and came close to scoring multiple times, including hitting the post. However, Espanyol's defense held firm, and the visitors couldn't convert their chances.

The controversy arose when Real Madrid called for the expulsion of Carlos Romero after a foul on Mbappé in the second half. The referee, however, only issued a yellow card, sparking criticism from the Madrid bench.

An Unexpected Ending

Despite dominating possession and trying to break down the defensive wall, it was Espanyol who took all three points with a goal from Carlos Romero just five minutes before the final whistle. Romero’s shot from the left beat Courtois, leaving the visitors with no response as they failed to capitalize on their chances in the dying moments of the match.

With this victory, Espanyol breathes easier in the fight for survival, while Real Madrid suffered a loss that opens the door for celebrations at Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid, who continue to closely monitor the title race in LaLiga.