Back

1-3: Defeat at the RCDE Stadium

RCD Espanyol fall to defeat at the hands of Celta de Vigo

RCD Espanyol fell to a 3-1 loss at home to Celta de Vigo on Saturday.

Off the back of consecutive away trips, Diego Martínez’s men were back at the RCDE Stadium looking to end on a high before the international break. The first clear cut chance came with a quarter of the match played, as Sergi Darder’s shot from the edge of the box was parried away by Iván Villar.    

Just moments later and Celta were in front via a swift attack finished off by Gabri Veiga. The hosts were pushing for the equaliser but could not get through the opposition defence, and it would soon become an even bigger challenge when Iago Aspas doubled Celta’s lead from the spot.

Behind by a two-goal deficit at the break, Espanyol needed to react and brought on Javi Puado for a more attacking approach for the second half. Joselu had a golden opportunity in front of goal, but misplaced his effort the wrong side of the post.

Celta added a third in the closing stages of the match as Carles Pérez slotted it home for the visitors. Espanyol did manage to get a consolation soon after, when José Gragera bundled it into the net from close range for his first goal in the blanquiazul shirt, but it was not enough as Espanyol were defeated at the RCDE Stadium.

---

Match information

RCD Espanyol: Pacheco, Rubén S. (Aleix V.C 72’), C. Montes, S. Gómez (Edu Expósito 72’), Cabrera (Puado 46’), Óscar Gil, Vini Souza (Gragera 54’), Darder, Denis Suárez (Nico M.R 64’), Joselu, Braithwaite.

Celta de Vigo: Iván Villar, Hugo Mallo, Aidoo Jr, Nuñez, Javi Galan, C. Pérez (Solari 88’), Fran Beltran, Gabri Veiga (Tapia 69’), De La Torre (Cervi 69’), Iago Aspas (G. Paciência 88’), Seferovic (Strand Larsen 59’).

Referee: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández

Goals: 0-1 Gabri Veiga 26’, 0-2 Iago Aspas (pen) 45’; 0-3 C. Pérez 82’, 1-3 Gragera 86’

Bookings: Darder 31’, Cabrera 44’; Javi Galan 61’, Strand Larsen 90’

Attendance: 26,231