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Dramatic derby draw against FC Barcelona
RCD Espanyol are held 2-2 after a late equaliser from the opposition
RCD Espanyol came agonisingly close to a derby victory at the RCDE Stadium against FC Barcelona, as a late equaliser from their neighbours meant the game ended 2-2. Sergi Darder and Raúl de Tomás scored the goals for the hosts, who were just seconds away from winning the contest.
The game started badly for RCD Espanyol, as on Barca's first long possession they ended up taking the lead, thanks to a goal by Pedri from a free kick. It was a tough break for Vicente Moreno's men, who were targeting a first league win of 2022 in one of the biggest games of the season.
The team welcomed back RDT from suspension, and he attempted to rally the fans and his teammates in the aftermath of the goal. The club's top scorer this season had an initial effort go wide, as Los Pericos began to attack.
RCD Espanyol applied muscle in the centre of the park, where they matched and even overcame FC Barcelona at times, but they lacked clarity in the final metres. Javi Puado, who changed wings midway through the first half, was the first to shoot on goal, with his effort forcing a save from the goalkeeper.
Barça had chances to score the second goal, but Diego López was immense in particular against Adama in one of the clearest.
Just Espanyol were struggling most, Sergi Darder's work of art arrived. The Mallorcan received the ball from RDT and with a placed shot he equalised in the derby, to the delight of the RCDE Stadium.
After the break, a new game began. With the score tied, Los Pericos could put their plan into action. Defending well, they experienced a moment of suspense due to a goal by Gavi, which ended up being annulled for offside.
That let-off gave way to a huge RDT goal, as he controlled a Darder pass beautifully and finished past Ter Stegen.
With the score at 2-1, the contest went into stoppage time, in which there was heartbreak for RCD Espanyol. De Kong's leveller came in the 96th minute, leaving the spoils shared in the derby.