It would take sixty seconds for the 23-match losing streak against Spain to come to an abrupt halt.
Espanyol could not stop Luuk de Jong’s goal in the sixth minute of the second-half stoppage, so the team settled for a draw of 2-2 on Sunday. This extended the Catalan derby’s unsuccessful run.
Barcelona was relieved to draw but it also ended its winning streak after consecutive league wins against Alaves Madrid and Atletico Madrid, the defending champions.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez stated that it was a “step backwards in the fight to the league.” It’s going to take a lot of work, but we must keep fighting until the end.
This result saw Atletico move up to fourth in the Champions League standings. After Madrid’s draw at Villarreal, it is now 15 points behind league leader Real Madrid.
Espanyol is currently in 13th place and has not beaten Barcelona since February 2009. Although it has not beaten Barcelona since February 2009, its last home win was against Espanyol in 2007. However, it did beat Barcelona in a Copa del Rey match. Espanyol has lost its last five league matches.
After a long cross from Adama Traore, De Jong scored the equalizer with a header in the middle of the field.
Barcelona led early with Pedri González scoring from close range following a Jordi Alba cross two minutes into the match at RCDE Stadium. Sergi Darder scored a goal from outside the box for the equalizer in the 40th minute.
Barcelona thought the game was over when Gavi Paez scored the goal in the second period. However, the goal was disallowed because it was offside. Espanyol took the lead 10 minutes later. Raul de Tomas scored the goal that gave Espanyol the win after Darder had made a long pass.
After an altercation, Barcelona’s defender Gerard Pique was sent off and Espanyol’s midfielder Nico Melamed was sent off in stoppage.
Barcelona was without Dani Alves. He served the first of his two games suspension for a redcard in the win against Atletico. American Sergino Det replaced him. Xavi couldn’t also count on forward Memphis Depay due to an injury.
Ousmane Dembele made his debut in the second period after refusing to sign a new contract with the club and declining offers to leave during the winter transfer window.
Barcelona tried to win three consecutive league matches for the first time since April 2021 when it won six.
BETIS STAYS HOT
Real Betis secured third place in Spanish league, beating last-place Levante 4-2. Nabil Fekir scored twice, while Edgar Gonzalez and William Carvalho added a goal each. Manuel Pellegrini’s team won its seventh match in all competitions with Manuel Pellegrini’s team securing its seventh win.
Betis is now seven points behind Sevilla, its city rival, who defeated Elche 2-0 Friday. Madrid was also left behind. Betis is now four points behind fourth-place Atletico. Getafe beat Betis 4-3 on Saturday. Atletico still has a game.
Betis, one of the most popular teams in Spain under Pellegrini, is still in the Europa League as well as the Copa del Rey. It beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in the Copa semifinals.
Gonzalez stated that “we’ve been playing well since the beginning of the season.” “Everyone feels valued in this squad. That has been the key to keeping us alive in three competitions.”
Levante’s Daniel Gomez scored both goals. Roberto Soldado was sent off in the 75th. Valencia’s club has lost six of seven league matches, including three consecutively.
VALENCIA LOSES
Valencia’s winless streak in the league reached six matches after a 2-1 loss at relegation-threatened Alaves.
Joselu’s penalty kick in the 76th minute gave the hosts their second win from three matches. It left the club with three points.
Mamadou Loum Na’Diaye had opened scoring for Alaves in 14th, before Goncalo Guiedes equalized it in the 62nd.
Valencia has dropped to 12th place in the 20-team standings after losing four of its six league matches.
SOCIEDAD WINS
Real Sociedad defeated Granada 2-0 to record its second win in 10 league matches. Rafinha and Mikel Oyarzabal scored goals in each half, allowing the Basque Country team within one point of fifth-place Atletico.
Granada has now lost four consecutive games and is currently without a win in six of its last six league matches. It is four points higher than the relegation zone.
