lucky time Espanyol 1-0 Real Madrid, La Liga: Romero's Late Strike Stuns League Leaders

Carlos Romero celebrates his match-winner against Real Madrid Carlos Romero celebrates his match-winner against Real Madrid

LaLiga leaders Real Madrid were stunned as lowly Espanyol snatched a late 1-0 win thanks to Carlos Romero's strike. (More Football News)lucky time

Vinicius Junior thought he had given Madrid a 21st-minute lead, latching onto Kylian Mbappe's pass before curling a wonderful strike into the back of the net. However, the goal was disallowed after the Frenchman had fouled Pol Lozano in the build-up.

The visitors upped the pressure in the second half as Jude Bellingham forced a smart stop out of Joan Garcia before Mbappe smacked the outside of the post with the rebound. 

Lucas Vazquez and Mbappe also saw efforts saved in the second half, while Rodrygo struck the foot of the near post after a wonderful jinking run down the right.

After brilliantly holding Madrid at bay, Espanyol found a late winner, with Romero meeting Omar El Hilali's cross on the volley to fire past a helpless Thibaut Courtois in the 85th minute.

Madrid remain top after failing to find a late winner but are now just one point clear of Atletico Madrid after their win earlier on Saturday. Espanyol moved out of the relegation zone and into 17th with the three points.

With the victory, they remained on course to win their second consecutive Olympic medal. However, the key defender’s suspension has sparked quite a bit of controversy. 

A semifinal win will ensure a silver for India, which they last won in the 1960 Rome edition. The Indians displayed a tenacious performance against Britain in the quarterfinal at the iconic Yves-du-Manoir Stadium on Sunday.

@RCDEspanyol_EN 1-0 @RealMadridEn85' Carlos Romero.@Emirates pic.twitter.com/z116UvZ1g4

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) February 1, 2025

Data Debrief: No way through

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Prior to this game,ph143 Madrid had won 108 of their previous 177 LaLiga meetings with Espanyol (D33 L36), a record number of wins by a team over another in the competition's history.

However, despite their constant pressure at the RCDE Stadium, they just could not find a way through. They had 21 shots worth just 1.78 expected goals (xG), with Garcia making seven saves in a standout display for the hosts.

It is just the second time in their last 35 league meetings with Espanyol that Madrid have failed to score, netting 90 goals in that run, averaging 2.6 per game.

Los Blancos also had 76% possession against Espanyol, their highest figure in a LaLiga away game since at least the 2005-06 seasonlucky time, but with no joy.