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Monday night mayhem in win against RCD Mallorca
Down to ten men for the entire second half, RCD Espanyol earn a 3-2 victory
RCD Espanyol returned from the international break with an action-packed 3-2 win at home to RCD Mallorca, continuing a good start to the 2025/26 season. After goals from Pere Milla and Roberto Fernández in the first half, Los Pericos were reduced to 10 men for the entire second period, and the game was decided by an 81st minute penalty from Kike García.
Up against a Mallorca side who have had a tough start to the season -having faced FC Barcelona and Real Madrid-, RCD Espanyol began the game with the possibility of climbing back into the top spots.
Coach Manolo González opted for Urko in midfield and returned Roberto to the starting lineup, in changes from the previous matchday.
RCD Espanyol got off to a strong start, with a shot from Roberto that hit the crossbar and a fine cross from Javi Puado that Pere Milla failed to finish off.
The visitors were undeterred and tried with efforts of their own, although they only got close with long-range shots and crosses that were well defended by the centre backs.
Espanyol remained settled, firm, and convinced, and went ahead through a goal from Pere Milla, who converted an excellent move from Romero on the left wing. His goal continued his excellent form from the start of the season, which has seen several important goals already.
The second goal was scored by Roberto, 14 minutes later. The forward, making his first appearance of the season, turned in a superb cross from Tyrhys Dolan.
Espanyol were on their way, until things took a turn for the worse: First, the referee gave a dubious foul against Omar El Hilali, a prelude to a later decision against Pol Lozano that resulted in a penalty. Vedat Muriqi converted the spot kick to make it 2-1.
The big scandal in the game came when the referee sent off Pere Milla in stoppage time, after he had clearly been brought down by Mojica without a penalty being called.
A man down Espanyol had to change their strategy to one of survival. They decided to play long balls in an attempt to despair their opponents. Manolo González's team used the strategy well, until Muriqi levelled the scoreline.
Espanyol never stopped fighting. Leandro Cabrera, off a ball from Dolan, almost put Los Pericos ahead again, whilst Marko Dmitrovic made two brilliant saves from Muriqi and Darder.
The third RCD Espanyo goal of the night arrived late on. Dolan, one of the best players of the night, won a penalty that Kike García converted.
Espanyol played very intelligently in the final minutes and ended up securing a win that allowed them to move into joint-top spot after four matchdays.