You could feel the tension in the RCDE Stadium from the opening whistle. Espanyol entered their 2025–26 La Liga season opener brimming with energy — and they needed every ounce of it. Atlético Madrid looked sharp, and their midfield dominance paid off early with a stunning free‑kick from Julián Álvarez in the 37th minute. The visitors seemed in control.
But Espanyol refused to back down. In the 73rd minute, Miguel Rubio pounced on a loose ball in the box — chaos turned into opportunity — and the scoreline was level. The momentum had shifted.
That shift turned decisive six minutes later. Pere Milla met a cross with a spectacular diving header in the 84th minute, sparking a euphoric moment as Espanyol sealed a 2‑1 win that stunned Atlético Madrid and their fans. The comeback not only marked a dream start for the Catalan side but also dealt Simeone’s revamped squad an early psychological blow.
Atlético’s legendary start-of-season record under Diego Simeone was broken — this was their first opening-day defeat under his management. In the aftermath, Simeone took the blame and called the defeat a “learning experience,” pointing to tactical missteps and late-game defensive lapses as the main culprits.
