Espanyol secured a remarkable victory over Real Madrid, denying the reigning champions the chance to extend their lead at the top of La Liga.

Despite enduring significant pressure for much of the match, Espanyol remained resilient and seized the opportunity to break on the counter-attack. In the 85th minute, Carlos Romero scored the decisive goal, calmly slotting the ball past Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the back post.

Earlier in the game, Real Madrid thought they had taken the lead when Vinicius Jr. curled a stunning shot into the far corner of the net.

However, the joy was short-lived as the goal was ruled out due to a foul by Kylian Mbappé during the build-up. The decision was a controversial one, leaving Real Madrid frustrated.

In the second half, Real Madrid came close to breaking the deadlock when Rodrygo danced past a couple of defenders and struck the ball against the post. Espanyol’s goalkeeper, Joan Garcia, was quick to react, gathering the rebound to keep the game level.

Garcia was called into action again minutes later when Mbappé unleashed a powerful shot heading for the far corner of the goal. Garcia made a spectacular save, tipping the ball wide to maintain his team’s hopes of securing a vital three points.

The controversy continued when Romero was only shown a yellow card for a high challenge on Mbappé, which left many questioning the referee’s decision. Romero’s tackle appeared to be a dangerous one, coming in at calf height on the French forward.

Despite the rough challenge, Espanyol’s defender would go on to have the last laugh by scoring the winning goal just 24 minutes later, lifting his side out of the relegation zone.

In addition to their on-field struggles, Real Madrid also faced an injury concern. Antonio Rudiger, the German defender, was forced to leave the field with a suspected hamstring injury during the first half.

This injury setback further compounded the difficulties facing Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who are also preparing for their Champions League knockout tie against Manchester City, which kicks off on February 11.

As the match neared its conclusion, Real Madrid desperately sought an equalizer. Courtois even ventured up the field for a corner in the final moments of the game in an effort to add another attacking presence.

However, despite their best efforts, Espanyol held firm, maintaining their 1-0 advantage and securing their third victory over Real Madrid in recent years. The win not only handed Real Madrid their third defeat of the season but also ended their four-game winning streak.

Espanyol’s performance was a testament to their determination and resilience, as they withstood wave after wave of Real Madrid attacks.

The victory was also a crucial one for Espanyol, as it lifted them out of the bottom three of La Liga, moving them into a safer position in the league table.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid will need to quickly regroup as they face a tough challenge in the coming weeks. With their eyes set on the Champions League, their loss to Espanyol means they have dropped to second place in La Liga, with Atletico Madrid now only one point behind them.

Atletico Madrid strengthened their position with a 2-0 win over Mallorca, and they will face Real Madrid next Saturday in a crucial Madrid derby that could further shake up the top of the table.

Espanyol’s victory is sure to be remembered as one of the season’s surprises, especially considering the size of their opponents.

Real Madrid had been on a strong run of form, and this unexpected defeat will be a blow to their La Liga aspirations. However, as the season progresses, there will be plenty of opportunities for the reigning champions to bounce back and fight for the title.

In summary, Espanyol’s 1-0 triumph over Real Madrid was a major upset, as the home side dug in and capitalized on a late counter-attack to secure all three points.

The win not only marked a crucial moment for Espanyol in their fight against relegation but also handed Real Madrid a rare defeat, highlighting the unpredictable nature of La Liga this season.

Despite their loss, Real Madrid will now turn their focus to upcoming fixtures, including the high-stakes Champions League clash with Manchester City, while Espanyol can take pride in their hard-earned victory that lifted them to a safer position in the league standings.