Back

2-1: Away defeat for RCD Espanyol

Blanquiazules beaten in LaLiga

RCD Espanyol were beaten 2-1 by Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Espanyol were back on the road at the Reale Arena, where Diego Martínez rewarded 19-year-old defender Omar El Hilali with his full LaLiga debut.

An open start to the game put Espanyol’s back five to the test early on as the hosts grew into the game. Real Sociedad struck first when goalkeeper Álvaro Fernández was dispossessed by Take Kubo, allowing Alexander Sørloth to convert into an open goal.

Espanyol were stunned but not shaken, and they equalised within two minutes of the restart. A smart corner routine found Edu Expósito in acres of space, and with the help of a slight deflection, he buried it to level it up in San Sebastián.

Fernández was called into action again by Sørloth, this time clawing the Norwegian striker’s header off the goalline. The hosts would soon go on to restore their lead through Brais Méndez, cutting through the backline and slotting it past the keeper.

The second half saw a more attacking approach by Martínez’s men, with Javi Puado brought on to switch to the familiar 4-3-3 formation. Sergi Gómez and Leandro Cabrera both had good headed opportunities early on but could not find the target.

A quiet period for the hosts almost culminated in a third goal, as David Silva’s powerful strike flashed wide of the goal. Espanyol created half-chances before substitute Dani Gómez was denied by Álex Remiro, proving to be the final chance to equalise.

---

Match information

RCD Espanyol: Álvaro Fernández, Omar (Puado 54’), Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Calero (Aleix Vidal 75’), Brian Oliván, Vini Souza (Pol Lozano 85’), Edu Expósito (D. Gómez 75’), S. Darder, Braithwaite, Joselu.

Real Sociedad: A. Remiro, Zubimendi, Aritz, Merino, Aihen, Take (Turientes 81’), Gorosabel, Sørloth, Pacheco, Silva (Cho 82’), Brais Méndez (Zubeldia 89’).

Referee: Carlos Del Cerro Grande

Goals: 1-0 Sørloth 17’, 1-1 Edu Expósito 19’, 2-1 Brais Méndez 29’.

Bookings: Brais Méndez 82’, Aritz 83’, Sørloth 88’.

Attendance: 31,511