The opening round of the 2025/26 La Liga season featured a headline clash as Espanyol hosted Atletico Madrid at the RCDE Stadium.
After 90 minutes of fierce competition, Espanyol scored twice in the second half to complete a dramatic 2-1 comeback, pulling off one of the biggest surprises of the new campaign’s first round.
For Espanyol, the victory marked a long-awaited winning start to the season. For Atletico Madrid, however, the defeat was a bitter blow; it was their first opening-day loss in La Liga in 16 years.
Alvarez’s Free-Kick Breaks the Deadlock
Both teams started cautiously, relying on midfield passing to probe for opportunities. In the 37th minute, the deadlock was finally broken when Atletico Madrid won a free kick on the left side of the attacking third.
Alvarez stepped up and struck a stunning curler over the wall, sending the ball straight into the top corner. The beautiful goal fired up the visiting supporters and gave Atletico a 1-0 lead, putting them in control of the game.
Atletico Missed Chances, Espanyol Hit Back
Atletico came close to doubling their advantage in the 57th minute of the second half, but Alvarez’s low shot struck the post and bounced out, leaving the score unchanged. That miss gave Espanyol a lifeline, and they began to turn up the pressure.
In the 73rd minute, Espanyol won a set-piece in the attacking half. Esposito delivered a long ball into the box, and Atletico’s defence lost track of their markers. Rubio seized the chance and calmly slotted home to make it 1-1.
In the 84th minute, Hilali whipped in a cross from the right, and Milla rose highest to meet it with a powerful header into the corner, completing the comeback to put Espanyol 2-1 in front. That decisive strike left Atletico scrambling, but despite their late efforts, they couldn’t find another goal.
Espanyol ultimately held firm to secure a 2-1 victory, their first win of the season, and one that will be remembered as a statement-making upset.
Simeone: Lack of Efficiency Proved Costly
After the match, Atletico manager Diego Simeone admitted his team played well for about 60 minutes but lamented their lack of efficiency in key moments. He stressed that the failure to capitalise when on top was the difference between winning and losing.
Atletico’s Title Hopes Under Early Pressure
As one of Spain’s traditional “big three,” Atletico Madrid have shown in recent years that they can compete with Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, their recurring struggles with consistency in decisive moments often undermine their ambitions.
This loss is a significant setback for Atletico’s title challenge. To stay in contention, they will need to quickly regroup, sharpen their finishing, and tighten up defensively in the coming weeks, or risk falling behind in the race for the La Liga crown.
