Back

Penalties decide Copa Catalunya final

RCD Espanyol lose 4-5 to Girona FC in the shootout

RCD Espanyol lost out on the Copa Catalunya in a penalty shootout at the Nova Creu Alta in Sabadell, as they continued to prepare for the 2025/26 LaLiga season.

Los Pericos came up against Girona CF in the final, having beaten FC Barcelona in the semifinals. They started out struggling to find fluidity in their play, as Girona's approach hindered them from bringing the ball out from the back.

Girona provided a first warning from the first set piece of the contest, with a shot from former RCD Espanyol player David López shooting slightly wide.

Rubén Sánchez and Roca tried to push forward down their respective flanks, however, neither was able to deliver effective passes to Kike García, the starting striker.

Girona tested goalkeeper Àngel Fortuño on a couple of occasions, and he handled the shots sent towards him well. At the other end, Espanyol were neither sharp nor comfortable in the first half, unable to create any danger in the opponent's area.

After the break, they suffered much less defensively, with Fortuño becoming a mere spectator.

With a series of substitutions, Los Pericos gained freshness, and with the introduction of Edu Expósito, they added the composure they had previously lacked. He provided the first promising approach for RCD Espanyol, which ended with a shot off target from Roberto.

The No.9, making his first appearance of preseason, tried his luck again with a header that went just wide.

Espanyol pressed hard in the final minutes and came very close to scoring with two fine shots from Pere Milla and Roberto, which Juan Carlos saved.

The final was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout, and when RCD Espanyol missed their last spot kick, the trophy went to Girona FC.