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Mid-season friendly draw with KV Mechelen

RCD Espanyol play out a 1-1 draw with the Belgian side

RCD Espanyol drew 1-1 in a mid-season friendly against KV Mechelen, as they continued their preparations for the resumption of the LaLiga campaign. Los Pericos took the lead thanks to a header from Leandro Cabrera, but the Belgian team equalised through a penalty in stoppage time.

The second and final friendly played in San Pedro del Pinatar, Murcia, was controlled by RCD Espanyol, and featured only timid moves forward from KV Mechelen in the opening minutes, with a shot against the crossbar by Mrabti.

Whilst Diego Martínez' men kept possession and ran the pace of the game, they could not find a way through a crowded defence from open play. A corner provided the breakthrough, as Cabrera converted to make it 1-0.

Espanyol's goal was followed by clear chances such as a good shot from Darder and a brilliant move between Joselu and Braitwhaite, which was thwarted by the goalkeeper.

In stoppage time, Soelle went down under the challenge of Joan García, with the resulting penalty dispatched by Malede to level.