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Match Report: 2-2 draw concludes summer friendlies

RCD Espanyol round off their fixture list with a draw against Newcastle United

RCD Espanyol closed out the 2025/26 preseason with a draw at Saint James's Park against Newcastle United, rounding off their six-match schedule to prepare for the LaLiga season.

Los Pericos had played increasingly more compactly over the summer, with fewer gaps in the lines, and with more confidence in their play. They continued to put the pieces together against the Premier League side, also a week out from starting their campaign.

Deploying attacks at the slightest opportunity, RCD Espanyol opened the scoring when Roca won the ball in midfield, passed to Roberto Fernández outside the box, and he set up Edu Expósito behind him to connect with a long-range right-footed shot, out of the reach of goalkeepet Aaron Ramsdale.

The lead barely lasted five minutes. Newcastle United gained momentum in attack near the penalty area and found the necessary space for Targett to head in a cross from Krafth.

The home side felt comfortable building the attack, slowly, between the lines, without rushing. Both teams looked to make the most of the speed of their forwards, allowing them to find free space in which to run.

RCD Espanyol's second big chance arrived when Roberto got ahead of his marker, trying to control the ball inside the box. Targett ended up clipping him on the ankle, leading to a penalty.
From the spot kick, Javi Puado was denied by Ramsdale -in on loan at the Magpies this season. Curiously enough, the goalkeeper had previously been beaten by a Puado penalty on July 27th, when playing for Southampton.

The second half saw a steady stream of substitutions and the game struggled to find fluidity, but the scoreline remained uncertain for many minutes.

Fortuño cleared a Schar shot with his foot midway through the second half, but was unable to stop Murphy's easy finish after the home side's pressure led to Terrats making an error inside the box.

The goal caused RCD Espanyol to take a step up, and they ended up confining the home side to their own half in the final stretch. During this time, Manolo González's team had three clear chances: Pere Milla narrowly missed meeting a fine cross from Terrats, with Ramsdale desperately scrambling the ball away. In the next move, Rafa Bauza connected with a fine shot, which crashed into the side netting. Two minutes later, Kike García did manage to head in a Pere Milla cross to make it 2-2, completing the preseason on a high note.

The game ended in a draw, and with RCD Espanyol well prepared for the kickoff to the new campaign.