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3-1: The Cup comeback kings
RCD Espanyol come from behind to progress to the Copa del Rey round of 16
RCD Espanyol beat Celta 3-1 after extra time in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday.
The Mágico were at the RCDE Stadium for the first match of 2023 off the back of an impressive point in the Barcelona derby. New signing César Montes would make his debut in central defence, while Roger Martínez also earned his blanquiazul debut in the round of 32 tie.
Joan García made an early save which showed Celta’s intent to attack, soon taking the lead thanks to a close-range finish by Gonçalo Paciência to bring the visitors in front.
A frustrating period for Espanyol followed, unable to break down a stubborn Celta defence while they would attempt to hit them on the break. There were few chances to show for from either side, leaving the Galician side ahead going into half-time.
Espanyol knew they had to improve in the second half, and they began with the energy and drive that the match so dearly needed. That was rewarded when Nico Melamed sent a superb ball into the box, with unmarked captain Javi Puado there to head it home superbly for the equaliser.
The goal gave the Mágico a breath of fresh air, now revitalised and hitting their stride going forward. Sergi Darder and Joselu were brought on in the closing stages to push for the win, but a penalty shout for the latter was the closest they came as it ended all square and headed into extra-time.
With extra-time underway, Espanyol would find the breakthrough in the 98th minute thanks to the captain. Darder led the counter-attack and played it through to Aleix Vidal, who kept it alive and played it back across to the captain for a simple finish, sending the stadium into ruptures and the pericos into the lead.
The final 15 minutes were crucial, and the final nail in the coffin for Celta was when goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín was sent off for a second booking in extra-time. It left defender and captain Hugo Mallo to put on the gloves for the final minutes of the match.
Melamed wrapped it up with two minutes to play, delicately guiding the ball into the top corner to complete the comeback. Espanyol dug deep, came from behind and secured a terrific win to earn their spot in the Copa del Rey round of 16.
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Match information
RCD Espanyol: Joan García, Ruben S. (Óscar Gil 46’), C. Montes, Cabrera, B. Oliván, Edu Expósito, Vini Souza, Roger Martínez (Aleix V.C 46’), Lazo (Nico M.R 46’), Braithwaite (Darder 74’ (Calero 114’)), Puado (Joselu 80’).
Celta de Vigo: Marchesín, Kevin V. (Hugo Mallo 59’), Aidoo, Unai Núñez, Tapia (Fran Beltrán 46’), C. Pérez, De la Torre (Swedberg 91’), Óscar, Franco Cervi (Javi Galán 91’), Gabri Veiga (Strand Larsen 59’), Paciência (Iago Aspas 59’).
Referee: Juan Martínez Munuera
Goals: 0-1 Paciência 15’; 1-1 Puado 53’; 2-1 Darder 97’; 3-1 Nico M.R 118’
Bookings: Roger Martínez 25’, Vini Souza 32’, Aleix V.C 69’, Cabrera 79’ Nico M.R 100’; Kevin V. 12’, Tapia 27’, Fran Beltrán 51’, Aidoo 64’, Strand Larsen 73’, Marchesín 97’, Óscar 120’
Red cards: Marchesín 112’
Attendance: 20,050