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Match Report: RCD Espanyol lose 1-3 to Elche CF

Los Pericos fall at the RCDE Stadium

RCD Espanyol suffered a 1-3 defeat to Elche CF at the RCDE Stadium on LaLiga Matchday 7, in what was their last game before the international break. The consolation goal came from a Victor Chust own goal in the second half.

Espanyol started out by threatening the opposition area, making goalkeeper Matias Dituro work hard to intercept a cross that Roberto Fernández was waiting to tap in. The game took an even more positive turn when, in the sixth minute of play, Elche's Redondo was sent off and the away team were reduced to ten men.

However, two through-balls found Fer Niño, and just like that, Elche made it 0–2 before the half-hour mark.

To make matters worse, Bryan Gil appeared to have scored shortly after, only to see his goal disallowed for offside. 

For the second half, Hartman and Marcos Fernández replaced Hinojo and Urko, and from the first opportunity Roberto tried to head the ball to Leandro Cabrera, but it went slightly too far and rolled out of play.

Almost immediately, Elche struck the post with a shot from Cepeda.

Roberto was denied once more when Dituro snatched away a cross from José Ángel -just as he was about to tap it into the net.

With 20 minutes remaining, Marcos Fernández managed to reach a long cross and forced Chust into contact -the defender getting the last touch for an own goal.

Roberto immediately hit the woodwork again, energising the crowd as they rallied the team to push for a comeback.

Just as it looked as if a turnaround was on, Germán Valera capitalised on a counter-attack, beating Dmitrovic as he came off his line to seal a 1–3 scoreline.