Two former Espanyol players spoil Espanyol's party

Cornellá de LlobregatOn Friday, October 17, 2025, Espanyol beat Oviedo at the Tartiere stadium and moved into the top six, securing a European qualification spot. Since then, they have never relinquished their privileged positions in La Liga, although yesterday they almost did so thanks to Ferran Jutglà, the former captain of the reserve team who left the club in the summer of 2021 because the sporting director, Rufete, felt he lacked the potential for the first team, and Bor 2019, following Espanyol's last European qualification, who was booed upon his return to Barcelona. A stunning goal from Kike García and another from Dolan prevented this, lifting the home side off the canvas. Playing with more heart than head, and with the crucial intervention of Manolo González, they managed to secure a 2-2 draw after five consecutive defeats, but fell just short of a victory.

Ngonge's first title

Cyril Ngonge was Manolo González's secret weapon to stop the bleeding. The viral and anti-racist extreme He left Tyrhis Dolan, a revelation at the start of the season, on the bench; Charles Pickel, in place of Urko González, and Clemens Riedel, due to Calero's injury, also started against a Celta side featuring familiar faces: Borja Iglesias and Ferran Jutglà. The player from San Julián de Vilatorta was responsible for the visitors' first clear chance, which ended with a shot from outside the box by Javi Rodríguez that grazed the top corner of Marko Dmitrovic's goal.

Earlier, Edu Expósito had tested Radu with a long-range effort in what had been a quiet start to the match. The motto for both teams, both in poor form – Celta had only managed one point before visiting Cornellà – was to be patient and avoid mistakes. Espanyol's Serbian goalkeeper did not, stopping a shot that was too central from Borja Iglesias, the top scorer in Espanyol's last European qualification, the 2018-19 season with Rubi on the bench. The Galician striker signed for Betis at the end of that season, and that's why the Espanyol fans gave him a hostile reception.

The law of the ex

Borja Iglesias and Ferran Jutglà opened the scoring in a match that Celta had long since decided. The 0-1, a perfectly executed move by Giráldez's men, one of the best-playing teams in La Liga, originated from a backheel pass by Panda Jutglà converted the chance after a delightful assist from Rueda. Manolo González was furious because it was the eighth consecutive matchday that Dmitrovic had failed to keep a clean sheet, and the Galician coach believes this is the team's biggest problem.

Just like in Villarreal, Espanyol fell apart after the goal, confirming that they no longer possess the solidity or mental fortitude they displayed three months ago, when they were able to win five consecutive matches and move closer to Champions League qualification. Their fans know this, as they booed the home side, and also Celta, who dominated the game... until Manolo made a triple substitution that ignited Espanyol, who became more dangerous with a two-striker formation featuring Roberto and Kike García.

Delirium at Cornellà-El Prat

In the first one she had, the veteran striker from Cuenca He pulled the trigger. He took advantage of Celta's passive defense, bringing down a ball and creating space inside the area to unleash a left-footed shot, confirming his status as the Galicians' nemesis: he has scored against them in their last four encounters. Kike García had better luck than Borja Iglesias, who shortly after made it 1-2, but the referee, after consulting the VAR monitor, disallowed it for a very close offside.

Immediately afterward, Dolan sent the Cornellà-El Prat crowd into raptures, making it 1-2 after a cutback from Ramon Terrats. All three protagonists of the comeback had come off the bench; credit to Manolo González. But as they say, joy is short-lived, and in stoppage time, Borja Iglesias scored the final 2-2 in a crazy match that satisfied neither side.