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Match Report: RCD Espanyol storm back at San Mamés

Los Pericos claim a 1-2 comeback win to extend their streak

RCD Espanyol rounded off 2025 with another brilliant win on LaLiga Matchday 17, coming back from behind to best Athletic Club and earn their fifth consecutive top flight triumph. Carlos Romero and Pere Milla scored the vital goals in the Monday night fixture.

The final game of the matchday and the year had plenty of expectation surrounding it, with Los Pericos challenging in the upper reaches of the table and establishing Athletic Club as one of their rivals for the same objectives. It was a battle in the dugouts too, between Ernesto Valverde and Manolo González, who had expressed their admiration for one another before kickoff.

The first 45 minutes unfolded into a continuous back-and-forth affair, with work for both defenses and goalkeepers alike. Athletic Club's Unai Simón was given a couple of scares before the half-hour mark, especially with a long-range shot from Roberto Fernández, who had spotted him off his line and launched his effort just over the bar. At the other end, Marko Dmitrovic saved with his foot from Gorosabel, and then made an incredible stop from Alex Berenguer.

Roberto had another chance, breaking free from Unai Simón in a one-on-one situation and ending up stumbling inside the area in front of the keeper. The replay was inconclusive about any potential contact.

The home side went ahead when Berenguer, in a clever and intuitive move, slipped between Omar El-Hilali and the Espanyol goalkeeper to delicately slot home the opening goal.

Before halftime, Romero got the equaliser. He unleashed a left-footed shot from outside the box, after a rebound off Oihan Sancet, and the ball nestled into the top corner to make it 1-1.

The second half began with the same intensity at both ends. The key move was one in which Tyrhys Dolan recovered the ball after losing possession and crossed into the box. Roberto was inches away from reaching it, and Pere Milla did connect to place it in the back of the net, taking the score to 1-2.

Milla took a tremendous knock from Unai Simon in the process, and was substituted a few minutes later.

There was still a long way to go, and there would be no shortage of chances. First, for Roberto, then another for Jofre Carreras, who missed by a matter of centimetres after a fast counter-attack.

Unai Simón and Dmitrovic both made saved for their respective sides in stoppage time, and the score remained 1-2 in RCD Espanyol's favour.

Los Pericos go into the new year happy, with 33 points so far in the 2025/26 season.