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Match Report: Late strike hands RCD Espanyol defeat away to Betis
A 1-0 result leaves the team empty handed on Matchday 8
Espanyol rounded off a week of three games with a visit to the Benito Villamarín to face Real Betis, losing 1-0 in the closing stages thanks to a goal from Giovanni Lo Celso.
After two setbacks against Real Madrid and Villarreal, Manolo González' men wanted to take something from a difficult ground to visit.
The main protagonist of the first half was Joan García. The RCD Espanyol goalkeeper started his evening with a great save after a shot from Bakambu from close range, and went on to make a series of stops from Betis strikes and command his area.
Garcia was also required to keep out a penalty, when Abde went down in the box and decided to take the spot kick himself. He guessed the right way to prevent the Betis attacker from scoring.
Except for a deflected shot by Romero and a few incursions by Jofre, RCD Espanyol's presence up field was limited in the first half, which ended goalless.
Los Pericos kept to the plan in the second half, setting up well at the back and waiting to go on the counterattack. The first arrival after the restart was a run by Javi Puado that narrowly missed the mark.
Unfortunately, Puado had to be substituted shortly after due to injury, being replaced by Pere Milla.
Joan García continued to be involved, with another great save after a header from Abde at point-blank range. Betis attacked without much conviction, while Espanyol managed to maintain their defensive solidity.
The clearest chance for Espanyol came with a ball across from Milla, met by Romero with a low shot that was repelled by Rui Silva's foot.
In the final minutes, a move forward by Betis was finished by Lo Celoso for the winning goal.