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Match Report: RCD Espanyol exit the Copa del Rey
Los Pericos lose 4-3 to Sestao River after extra time
RCD Espanyol were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in their opening fixture of the competition by Sestao River, with the game ending 4-3 after extra time.
Espanyol struck first in the game. The referee spotted an opposition defender clipping Marcos’s leg as he tried to control the ball inside the penalty area, and awarded a spot kick -which the striker himself converted.
Sestao River, however, remained unfazed. The leaders of Grupo 1 in the Segunda Federación -boasting six wins, one draw, and only one defeat in league action-, managed to grow into the contest.
Castañeda issued a warning with a shot into the side netting, marking the home side’s first serious threat. Shortly after the fifteen-minute mark, Carrión levelled the scoreline following a counterattack. The condition of the pitch caught out Dmitrovic, as the ball hit a divot and bounced over the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand.
Espanyol tried to regroup, but struggled to find any fluidity on a pitch that was becoming increasingly heavy. Nevertheless, every corner kick for the visitors created tension and uncertainty in the home side’s penalty area.
However, shortly before halftime, Ugarte capitalised on a corner for the hosts, to score and put Sestao into the lead.
The second half saw the home side continue to disrupt play defensively while launching attacks whenever the opportunity arose.
RCD Espanyol were racing against the clock and looking to regain control. In one instance, Moscardo struck the post; as Expósito moved in for the follow-up, a defender collided with him while attempting a clearance. The referee gave another penalty. Roberto converted it this time, equalising in the 90th minute and sending the match into extra time.
Espanyol began the extra period eager to settle the game quickly and avoid a penalty shootout. Moscardo received a pass from Bryan Zaragoza and, from just outside the box, placed the ball into the back of the net with a precise strike.
The lead was short-lived; two minutes later, Laka headed home from a free kick to make it 3–3.
In the 116th minute, Cabrera attempted a spectacular bicycle kick, but the home goalkeeper was able to tip the ball out for a corner.
With a penalty shootout looming a controversial late goal saw Dmitrovic have the ball knocked out of his hands, as Rojo scored in the 120th minute and give a 4-3 win to Sestao River.