Betis Ends Espanyol’s Home Streak as Aspas Saves Celta from Atlético
Real Betis ended Espanyol's home unbeaten run with a 2-1 win, while Celta salvaged a draw against Atlético with Aspas scoring and a decisive red card affecting the match dynamics.
- • Real Betis defeated Espanyol 2-1, ending Espanyol's unbeaten La Liga home streak.
- • Pau López saved a last-minute penalty from Puado, securing Betis' win.
- • Celta drew 1-1 at Atlético Madrid, with Iago Aspas scoring the equalizer.
- • Atlético's Clement Lenglet was sent off early, impacting the match dynamics.
Key details
Real Betis secured a vital 2-1 victory over RCD Espanyol at Cornellà, ending Espanyol’s unbeaten home run in La Liga. Espanyol took an early advantage through Pol Lozano in the 15th minute, but Betis fought back with goals from Cucho Hernández, marking his fourth consecutive league goal, and Abde, who struck the winner in the 62nd minute. The match featured a dramatic finale as Betis goalkeeper Pau López made a crucial last-minute penalty save from Puado that preserved the win. This result propelled Betis into the top four of La Liga standings, dealing a setback to Espanyol despite their promising start at home (ID 88576).
Espanyol’s coach Manolo González expressed his disappointment following the loss, pinpointing defensive errors and shortcomings in attack as reasons for the defeat. He stressed that the game was "decided by details" and underscored the importance of keeping a clean sheet to improve results. González defended Puado’s role as the team’s primary penalty taker, citing his previous successes, and acknowledged the risks involved with Espanyol’s playing style which may have exposed them against Betis (ID 88586).
Meanwhile, in another La Liga fixture, Celta Vigo managed a 1-1 draw against Atlético Madrid, thanks to a late equalizer from club legend Iago Aspas. Atlético had opened the scoring early through Carl Starfelt after a swift counterattack but were reduced to ten men when defender Clement Lenglet received a red card shortly before halftime. The numerical disadvantage allowed Celta to dominate possession and create chances, though they could not convert beyond Aspas’ goal. The draw denied Atlético the opportunity to move to the top of the La Liga table in light of Barcelona’s slip-ups and Villarreal’s defeat (ID 88583).
This round of matches highlighted how critical moments—such as Pau López’s penalty save and Lenglet’s dismissal—shaped the competitive balance and affected league standings. Both coaches reflected on the fine margins determining success, with Espanyol’s coach urging calm reflection and Betis rising confidently within the league hierarchy.