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Match Report: RCD Espanyol stun Atletico Madrid for 2-1 win
Pere Milla scores the winning goal for Los Pericos
A breathtaking finish at the RCDE Stadium saw RCD Espanyol open their LaLiga campaign with a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid. Pere Milla scored the winner for Los Pericos, showing his indomitable character once again.
The match had everything: Chances, intensity, speed, a well organised team, and a firm determination to avoid mistakes.
Buoyed by a magnificent atmosphere from the stands, RCD Espanyol displayed courage, determination and skill -even in the worst of moments. Atletico Madrid’s Hancko had the first chance with a header from a corner, and Marko Dmitrović responded brilliantly. Roberto Fernández immediately tested opposition goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who soon after repeated the feat to deny Leandro Cabrera.
With the match evenly poised, Julián Álvarez found the top corner from a free kick for Atletico Madrid to open the scoring.
The 1-0 scoreline was a blow for an Espanyol side that, until then, had responded to every attack from their opponents. In the closing moments of the first half and in the opening minutes of the second, Álvarez hit the base of the post after a good collective move by the visitors.
Manolo González and Diego Simeone started the substitutions for their respective sides, and RCD Espanyol found the breathing space they needed. Edu Expósito delivered a masterful cross from a long-range free kick, allowing Miguel Rubio to unexpectedly appear in the only gap in the visitors' defence. His close-range shot levelled the game.
As the contest entered the final stretch, Pere Milla provided a firm, acrobatic, and accurate header, surprising Oblak to make it 2-1. Just as he did in the final match of last season against UD Las Palmas, he provided elation for RCD Espanyol, who picked up a win in their first game of 2025/26.