In a surprising turn of events, Espanyol secured a 1-0 win against league leaders Real Madrid, thanks to Carlos Romero’s decisive goal.
On Saturday, in the 22nd week of LaLiga, Espanyol hosted Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium. The match’s only goal came in the 58th minute when Spanish defender Carlos Romero found the net, leading Espanyol to a memorable victory.
This defeat marked Real Madrid’s third loss of the season. Despite the setback, they remain at the top of the league standings with 49 points. Espanyol’s win elevated them to 23 points, placing them 17th in the table.
The match was not without controversy. In the 61st minute, Carlos Romero committed a severe foul on Real Madrid’s forward Kylian Mbappe, striking him with an open sole on the thigh and calf without making contact with the ball. Referee Alejandro Muniz Ruiz issued only a yellow card, a decision that drew significant criticism, especially since the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not intervene. Romero remained on the field and later scored the winning goal.
Real Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision not to send off Romero for the foul on Mbappe. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the next game and acknowledged that his team could have performed better.
Despite this unexpected loss, Real Madrid continues to lead the LaLiga standings, maintaining a one-point advantage over their closest rivals, Atletico Madrid. Espanyol’s victory provides them with a crucial boost as they aim to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
