Drama unfolded at the RCDE Stadium as Espanyol staged a stunning late comeback to defeat Atlético Madrid 2-1 in a riveting LaLiga opener. The script seemed written for Diego Simeone’s men, but Espanyol, spurred by the home crowd and a moment of magic from Pere Milla, rewrote the ending in the dying embers of the match.
Atlético Madrid appeared poised to continue their dominant record in season openers, especially after Julián Álvarez unleashed a breathtaking free-kick in the 37th minute, finding the top-left corner from 25 yards. The precision and audacity of Álvarez’s strike—his third direct free-kick goal since joining Atlético—reminded fans why he is among Europe’s most feared set-piece specialists. For a moment, it seemed the visitors would extend their unbeaten streak at the RCDE Stadium and preserve a remarkable run of not losing a LaLiga opener since 2009.
But Espanyol, under the guidance of Manolo Gonzalez, refused to wilt. Their resilience was personified by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, who kept the deficit at one with a string of fine saves against the likes of Conor Gallagher and David Hancko. The tension mounted as the clock ticked down, the home faithful clinging to hope.
Then, in the final act, the match turned on its head. Marcos Llorente conceded a needless foul, gifting Espanyol a dangerous set-piece. Miguel Rubio capitalized, sliding the ball past Jan Oblak at the near post and igniting belief in the stands. Six minutes from time, Omar El Hilali floated a teasing cross into the box. Time seemed to slow as Pere Milla stooped low, guiding a looping header over Oblak’s outstretched arm—a finish worthy of the occasion. The stadium erupted: Espanyol had completed an improbable turnaround.
For Atlético Madrid, the loss was a bitter pill, marking their first opening-day defeat in LaLiga since 2009. Their attacking intent, 15 attempts generating just 0.87 expected goals, proved wasteful. In contrast, Espanyol were clinical, netting twice from just nine attempts and an xG of 1.25.
This result punctuated a fixture long known for its cagey battles—four of the previous head-to-heads had ended in draws, with the last at the RCDE Stadium finishing 1-1. Atlético, backed by favorites’ odds and a squad boasting talents like Alexander Sørloth and Álvarez, will rue missed opportunities. Espanyol, meanwhile, drew on their underdog spirit, echoing past upsets and hinting at a season brimming with promise.
The match also saw notable performances from key players: Javier Puado, ever-dangerous at home, and Roberto Fernandez, Espanyol’s top scorer, both threatened throughout. For Atlético, Jan Oblak’s heroics weren’t enough, while Álvarez’s brilliance will be remembered as a highlight in an otherwise disappointing start.
As LaLiga’s new season dawns, this encounter reminds us why football is the sport of the unexpected. Espanyol’s triumph will be replayed in the minds of their fans for years, a testament to belief, drama, and the magic that only football delivers. For more on the match highlights and in-depth stats, visit Espanyol v Atl. Madrid match highlights 17/08/2025 | Football and check out the detailed breakdown on Espanyol 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Milla completes comeback to stun Simeone’s side.