Espanyol 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Milla completes comeback to stun Simeone´s facet

Pere Milla’s very good header accomplished a late turnaround for Espanyol as they got here from a purpose behind to stun Atletico Madrid 2-1 of their LaLiga opener.

Julian Alvarez’s beautiful free-kick had given Diego Simeone’s facet a deserved lead, however two objectives in 11 second-half minutes noticed Espanyol make a profitable begin to 2025-26.

Atletico began strongly at RCDE Stadium however have been unable to beat Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, with Conor Gallagher, David Hancko and Alvarez all going shut.

However Dmitrovic might do nothing to cease Atletico from taking a Thirty seventh-minute lead, with Alvarez choosing out the top-left nook with a sensational free-kick from 25 yards out.

Alvarez got here near doubling his and Atletico’s tally shortly earlier than the hour, however might solely rifle his shot towards the woodwork, and the guests have been made to pay.

After Marcos Llorente had given away a pointless foul, the ensuing set-piece noticed Miguel Rubio’s sliding effort creep in at Jan Oblak’s close to put up from inside the realm.

And the comeback was full six minutes from time when Omar El Hilali’s supply into the field was met by Milla’s stooping header that looped over Oblak’s outstretched arm.

Fulltime in Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/raCDDwl0bg

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) August 17, 2025

Earlier within the day, Athletic Bilbao have been additionally helped by some late heroics from Robert Navarro, whose 81st-minute purpose helped his facet edge a five-goal thriller 3-2 towards Sevilla.

Two strikes in six minutes on the finish of the primary half from Nico Williams and Maroan Sannadi had Bilbao forward, however Sevilla halved the deficit on the hour via Dodi Lukebakio.

Lucien Agoume restored parity at Estadio de San Mames within the 72nd minute, just for Bilbao substitute Navarro to seal the win with a bouncing volley into the top-right nook.

Knowledge Debrief: Alvarez stunner proves in useless

Atletico appeared on the right track for a profitable begin to their LaLiga marketing campaign due to Alvarez’s second of particular person brilliance, along with his strike from distance one thing we have now grow to be accustomed to seeing since his change to the Spanish capital.

Certainly, because the begin of the 2024-25 season, Alvarez has scored the joint-most direct free-kicks (three) in Europe’s high 5 leagues throughout all competitions, degree with Manchester Metropolis’s Omar Marmoush and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.

Nevertheless, Atletico’s wastefulness within the closing third proved expensive, with their 15 makes an attempt producing an anticipated objectives (xG) tally of simply 0.87, in comparison with Espanyol’s 1.25 from their 9 makes an attempt.

The consequence additionally noticed Atletico lose their opening match of a LaLiga marketing campaign for the primary time since August 2009, once they have been overwhelmed 3-0 away from house by Malaga.