RCD Espanyol secured a dramatic last-gasp draw against Sevilla FC this Sunday, September 6th, in the fourth matchday of LaLiga EA Sports. Substitute Marcos Fernández found the back of the net in the 97th minute to cancel out Lucas Stassin's opener for the visitors just five minutes earlier at the RCDE Stadium.
How did the match unfold at the RCDE Stadium?
The game, covered by El País Deportes, started at a high tempo but with few clear chances for either side. The dynamic changed drastically in the 55th minute when Sevilla defender Arouna Sangante brought down Roberto as the Espanyol forward was through on goal. Referee Miguel Sesma Espinosa did not hesitate to show a straight red card, leaving Sevilla with ten men for the remainder of the match.
With the numerical advantage, Espanyol thought they had taken the lead. Omar el Hilali fired in a rebound in the 61st minute, but VAR reviewed the play and the official disallowed the goal for an offside position by Marcos Fernández at the moment of the shot. Sevilla responded dangerously on the counter and finally Stassin, on his official debut, connected with an impossible half-volley in the 84th minute to make it 0-1. The local reaction came in the eighth minute of added time, when Fernández shot twice from the same play to beat Vlachodimos.
What did the press say about the team's performance?
Mundo Deportivo described Espanyol's performance as "discreet," noting that Manolo González's team showed "more shadows than light" on a night when they failed to capitalize on their numerical superiority. The outlet highlighted that, despite the poor match, the pericos managed to "scrape a point and be thankful" at the last instant. La Tercera, for its part, focused on the Sevilla perspective, highlighting the "disappointment in the epilogue" for a team that celebrated a "heroic triumph" that ultimately slipped away.
Manager Manolo González surprised with his starting eleven, according to Mundo Deportivo's report. Leandro Cabrera returned to defense after serving his suspension, while Brazilian Gabriel Moscardo started in midfield in place of Urko González. The team now sits in fourteenth place in the standings, with three points from three matches played.
What is Espanyol's context for the season?
The draw leaves RCD Espanyol with a record of five goals scored and four conceded after the first league fixtures. This places them six points behind leaders FC Barcelona in a season that has just begun. The next challenge for the white-and-blue side will be a trip to Pamplona to face Osasuna on September 12th, an opponent currently occupying sixth place.
The squad faces this stretch of the competition with the confirmed absence of Andoni Gorosabel, whose return to the squad is yet to be determined. Fans can check the full season calendar and upcoming fixtures on our matches page. Espanyol will seek their second win of the campaign at El Sadar against an Osasuna side that has started strongly.
