La Liga Gameweek 9
Espanyol 0 - 1 FT Atletico Madrid
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Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Morten Hjulmand 22'
Lee Kang-In 43'
↓ Daniel Martinez Moreno ↑Alejandro Grimaldo 45'
↓ Ademola Lookman ↑Julián Álvarez 45'
HT
↓ Pablo Barrios Rivas ↑Marcos Llorente 55'
↓ Lee Kang-In ↑Alejandro Baena Rodríguez 62'
64' ↓ Vanja Drkusic ↑Unai Núñez
Cristian Romero 66'
↓ Cristian Romero ↑Rodrigo Mendoza 67'
73' ↓ Eduardo Expósito Jaén ↑Álex Calatrava Torrado
73' ↓ Francisco Javier Hernandez Coarasa ↑Gabriel Moscardo
Rodrigo Mendoza 79'
81' Roger Hinojo
82' ↓ Bryan Zaragoza ↑Javi Puado
82' ↓ Roberto Fernández Jaén ↑Marcos Fernández
87' Unai Núñez
Alejandro Baena Rodríguez (Julián Álvarez) 89'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Espanyol
Goalkeepers
Ángel Fortuño 
OCTOPUS
5
Saves
5
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Omar El Hilali 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Vanja Drkušić 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
100%
Duel Win %
Clemens Riedel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leandro Cabrera 
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
4
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Roger Hinojo
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
45%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Edu Expósito
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Pol Lozano 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Bryan Zaragoza 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Forwards
Roberto Fernández
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
Javi Hernández
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
BENCH
Marko Dmitrović 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Andoni Gorosabel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Quilindschy Hartman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Unai Núñez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rafel Bauzà
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Álex Calatrava
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Urko González
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pere Milla
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gabriel Moscardo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tyrhys Dolan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcos Fernández
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Javi Puado
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
8
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Atletico Madrid
Goalkeepers
Jan Oblak
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Marc Pubill
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cristian Romero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
67
Total Mins
67
Entry
Dávid Hancko
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
71%
Duel Win %
Daniel Martinez 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
29%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Giuliano Simeone
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Pablo Barrios
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
55
Total Mins
55
Entry
Morten Hjulmand 
MAGNET
97
Activity
97
Activity
90
Passes
7
Duels
Lee Kang-In
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
41%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Jonathan David
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ademola Lookman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
46
Total Mins
45
Entry
BENCH
Juan Musso
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
J. Dominguez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Robin Le Normand
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Álex Grimaldo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
44
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Castillo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Álex Baena 
CLUTCH HERO
89
Goal Time
89
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
8.2
Rating
Obed Vargas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rodrigo Mendoza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcos Llorente
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
35
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Julián Álvarez 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
Alexander Sørloth
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arnau Ortiz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/21/2026 | Atletico Madrid | 4 - 2 | Espanyol | La Liga | Metropolitano Stadium |
| 08/17/2025 | Espanyol | 2 - 1 | Atletico Madrid | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 03/29/2025 | Espanyol | 1 - 1 | Atletico Madrid | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 08/28/2024 | Atletico Madrid | 0 - 0 | Espanyol | La Liga | Riyadh Air Metropolitano |
| 05/24/2023 | Espanyol | 3 - 3 | Atletico Madrid | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 11/06/2022 | Atletico Madrid | 1 - 1 | Espanyol | La Liga | Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano |
| 04/17/2022 | Atletico Madrid | 2 - 1 | Espanyol | La Liga | Estadio Wanda Metropolitano |
| 09/12/2021 | Espanyol | 1 - 2 | Atletico Madrid | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 03/01/2020 | Espanyol | 1 - 1 | Atletico Madrid | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 11/10/2019 | Atletico Madrid | 3 - 1 | Espanyol | La Liga | Estadio Wanda Metropolitano |
02/21/2026
08/17/2025
03/29/2025
08/28/2024
05/24/2023
11/06/2022
04/17/2022
09/12/2021
03/01/2020
11/10/2019
Espanyol Win
Atletico Madrid Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 9 GD: +30
P: 9 GD: +11
P: 9 GD: +14
P: 9 GD: +2
P: 9 GD: 0
P: 9 GD: -2
P: 9 GD: +3
P: 9 GD: +3
P: 9 GD: +1
P: 9 GD: -8
P: 9 GD: -2
P: 9 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 9 GD: -6
P: 9 GD: -1
P: 9 GD: -12
P: 9 GD: -6
P: 9 GD: -9
League Standings
P: 10 GD: +29
P: 10 GD: +12
P: 10 GD: +15
P: 10 GD: +2
P: 10 GD: +1
P: 10 GD: 0
P: 10 GD: +3
P: 9 GD: +3
P: 10 GD: +3
P: 11 GD: 0
P: 10 GD: 0
P: 11 GD: -1
P: 10 GD: -10
P: 10 GD: -11
P: 10 GD: -3
P: 10 GD: -3
P: 9 GD: -8
P: 10 GD: -10
P: 10 GD: -10
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Espanyol
Atletico Madrid
Espanyol
Atletico Madrid
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Late Sub Magic Rescues Atletico in Catalonia
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. An 89th-minute strike from the bench saved Atletico Madrid from a frustrating afternoon, keeping them firmly entrenched in the La Liga title chase.
A Sledgehammer vs A Wall
Atletico Madrid arrived at the RCDE Stadium and immediately seized absolute control of the ball, commanding a staggering 71% possession. A sky-high Intensity rating reflects the visitors' relentless early tempo, which pinned Espanyol deep into their own penalty area. The visitors unleashed 19 shots and racked up 12 corners, effectively turning the pitch into a half-court siege. However, the hosts were more than willing to absorb the punishment. Operating in a deeply entrenched low block, Espanyol threw bodies in front of shots and cleared their lines with desperate discipline. Despite completely starving their opponents of the ball, Atletico's lack of a ruthless finishing touch meant the first hour passed without a breakthrough.
Simeone's Bench Masterclass
With the Balance of play heavily skewed but the scoreboard stubbornly unchanged, Diego Simeone turned to his substitutes. The introduction of Julián Álvarez at half-time and Alejandro Baena Rodríguez just past the hour mark proved entirely transformative. While Dani Martínez flawlessly marshalled the visitors' backline to extinguish any fleeting Espanyol counter-attacks, the fresh attacking legs finally provided the required urgency up top. The home side defended valiantly for long stretches, but constantly chasing shadows inevitably took a physical toll. The relentless waves of pressure from 16 combined match corners meant defensive fatigue was creeping into the Catalan backline, setting the stage for a late collapse.
Breaking the Resistance
With the Stakes climbing and two crucial points threatening to evaporate from their title pursuit, the Atletico substitutes combined to deliver a fatal blow. In the 89th minute, Álvarez cleverly carved out the necessary space to assist Baena, who ruthlessly finished past the keeper to shatter the home side's resistance. For Espanyol, the late heartbreak leaves them marooned in mid-table, though they can take pride in frustrating a vastly superior side for nearly 90 minutes. For Atletico, escaping with a narrow 1-0 victory completely eliminates any Upset Factor, ensuring they remain in second place and just five points adrift of the league summit.
Key Questions
How dramatic was the late winner by Álex Baena?
Baena's 89th-minute goal was a devastating blow to the hosts, finally breaking a stubborn defensive wall after Atletico had relentlessly dominated possession all afternoon.
What does this mean for Espanyol's season?
This late heartbreak keeps Espanyol rooted in twelfth place, missing a golden opportunity to steal a valuable point from a genuine title contender.
How did substitute Álex Baena change the game?
Introduced in the 62nd minute, Baena injected fresh urgency and attacking flair, eventually providing the clinical finishing touch that Atletico had desperately lacked.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Atletico's Title Credentials Under the Microscope
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 71/100. A relentless Atletico Madrid arrives in Catalonia knowing any dropped points could derail their early title ambitions.
The Setup
Atletico Madrid step onto the pitch at RCDE Stadium this October 17, 2026, sitting comfortably in second place and fueled by a dominant Form rating despite a recent minor blip. Diego Simeone's men boast an aggressive and highly effective away record, having claimed three wins from four on the road. For Espanyol, an unconvincing home record sets up a tense afternoon. The competitive Balance tips heavily toward the visitors, while the sheer volume of Stars in the Madrid camp, including the electric J. Álvarez and midfield anchor Pablo Barrios, makes this a daunting prospect for the mid-table hosts. The Stakes couldn't be clearer: Atleti need a win to maintain maximum pressure in a fierce La Liga title race.
Key Battle
Espanyol's attacking hopes rest on Roberto Fernández finding a way past a famously resolute Madrid backline. He'll be operating in the same channel as Álex Grimaldo, whose attacking prowess from deep positions means Fernández will be forced into exhausting shifts without the ball just to keep the wing-back contained.
Our Prediction
Atletico's firepower and tactical discipline should eventually overwhelm the hosts. Expect the visitors to control the tempo, probe patiently around the penalty area, and strike in the second half to secure a calculated 2-0 victory.