Key Takeaways:
- Espanyol defeated Atlético Madrid 2:1 after coming from behind at the RCDE Stadium
- Julián Álvarez opened the scoring for Atlético in the 37th minute with a direct free-kick
- Diego Simeone suffered his first ever La Liga opening day defeat as Atlético manager
Match Overview
Espanyol overturned a first-half deficit to claim a 2:1 victory over Atlético Madrid at the RCDE Stadium in the opening round of the new La Liga season. The result marked a significant moment in Diego Simeone’s managerial career, as it was the first time he had suffered defeat in a season opener since taking charge of the Colchoneros.
Atlético lose their La Liga season opener for the first time since 2009 after Espanyol came back to defeat them 2-1 😬 pic.twitter.com/agqwwdB4zb
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 17, 2025
First Half: Atlético Take Control
The visitors opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Julián Álvarez produced a moment of brilliance from a direct free-kick, sending the ball past the wall and into the net for 0:1. The Argentine forward nearly doubled his tally in the 58th minute, showcasing fine control inside the area before evading his marker, only to see his shot cannon off the post.
Espanyol Turn the Tide
Espanyol, spurred on by the home support, responded with increased urgency in the second half. Their pressure paid off in the 73rd minute when Edu Expósito curled a delivery into the box from a set-piece, allowing Miguel Rubio to stab home from close range and restore parity at 1:1.
The momentum stayed with the Parakeets and they completed the turnaround in the 84th minute. Omar El Hilali delivered an inviting cross into the penalty area, where Pere Milla rose highest to meet it with a powerful header that gave Oblak no chance — 2:1 to the hosts.
Match Statistics
| Team | Goals | Goalscorers |
|---|---|---|
| Espanyol | 2 | Miguel Rubio (73′), Pere Milla (84′) |
| Atlético Madrid | 1 | Julián Álvarez (37′) |
