2-2: Anduva again
Espanyol draw with Mirandés in an intense and nail-biting match up to the final whistle
“Esto es Anduva” (This is Anduva) appears on a sign at the entrance of the stadium. It has been there for years and it’s unshakable. Espanyol has visited this stadium three times in the last 30 years (twice in qualifying rounds for the “Copa del Rey” 1991 and 2012), and were unable to win on neither occasion. Espanyol drew on pride up to the final whistle to take a point from a match that was turned completely upside down for them in the 89th minute. Nobody was satisfied with the draw at the end of the match.
Either way, it was an intense and uncertain match from the first minute to the final whistle. The first few minutes brought what Espanyol did not want to happen. Javier Muñoz took a shot from outside the box that hit the bottom of the post and rebounded off Diego López to concede a corner. This was the first warning. The second one came from the corner. Commotion in the box and Victor Meseguer managed to volley it into the back of the net to put the home team in front. 1-0. The perfect situation for Mirandés that left Espanyol behind looking for the equaliser.
The strength, tension, intention and quick pace of the Burgos side kept Diego López busier than his counterpart. The keeper had to pull out all the stops against Cristo and Iván Martín. Espanyol waited patiently, and then started to shake off the home side’s pressure to mount an attack. Raúl de Tomás (RDT) scored in the 34th minute, but the linesman called it offside. The VAR decision was awaited. This time, the goal was given, as the striker turned out to be in an on-side position. The match took a turn as the white and blues approached the goal more dangerously on each occasion. Darder had a chance inside the 6-yard box to put them in front, but his header flew just over the bar.
The second half started with the same drive of the home side. Diego López was tested just after the kick-off. But there was an instant reply this time: RDT scored again and the referee disallowed the goal again. The VAR was called in once more, but the scoreline remained the same.
Espanyol covered the whole pitch. They wanted the three points, but couldn’t find a way to get them. Mirandés were on the prowl looking to penetrate the white and blue defence with a clear exchange of passes, but seemed to be lacking strength in the last few minutes. Simón put the home side ahead again with a minute remaining, but the final push up front by the white and blues resulted in Melamed’s goal during injury time. A draw. One point... and Anduva again.