La Liga Upset: Real Madrid Beats Espanyol, Valencia Escapes Relegation Zone

Real Madrid vs Espanyol: What Happened?

On September 20, 2025, the Santiago Bernabeu turned into a proving ground for La Liga’s early power rankings. Real Madrid, eager to cement a strong start, faced Espanyol, a side that had never tasted defeat in its first four league fixtures. The Catalans entered the match riding a wave of confidence after wins over Atletico Madrid, Osasuna, and Mallorca.

Madrid’s answer was a composed 2-0 victory. The first goal came from a well‑timed header off a corner, slipping past the Espanyol keeper at the far post. The second, a crisp strike from the edge of the box, left little doubt that the hosts were in control. The win snapped Espanyol’s unbeaten streak and reminded everyone that Madrid’s squad depth still matters.

Despite the loss, Espanyol’s league standing remains impressive. With ten points from five games—three wins, one draw, one loss—they sit in fourth place. Their home form is the story’s bright spot: three victories at the RCDE Stadium, six goals scored and just three conceded. Manager Manolo Gonzalez has turned the Bernabeu defeat into a learning moment, emphasizing defensive solidity in upcoming fixtures.

For Real Madrid, the clean sheet and two‑goal margin reinforce the team’s early ambitions. The win moves them higher up the table, tightening the race at the top and signaling that they won’t let early season complacency set in.

Valencia’s Fight Back: From Heavy Defeat to Mid‑Table Safety

Just a few days after the Madrid‑Espanyol clash, Valencia faced Athletic Club at the Mestalla. The atmosphere was tense; a 6-0 drubbing by Barcelona two weeks earlier left the fans anxious and the players desperate for a response. Baptiste Santamaria and Hugo Duro emerged as the match‑winners, each netting in the final 20 minutes to secure a 2-0 win.

That victory did more than add three points. It lifted Valencia out of the relegation zone, placing them 11th with seven points from five matches—a respectable mid‑table position given their rocky start. The win also highlighted a stark contrast in Valencia’s performance: while their away record remains weak (zero goals and seven conceded in two trips), their home form shows promise, with the Mestalla becoming a place where the team can regroup and find the net.

Valencia’s manager praised the late surge, noting how the team’s resilience after the Barcelona loss proved character. The win also provided a morale boost for the stadium’s supporters, who have been vocal about demanding better defensive organization and more creative attacking play.

The rivalry between Espanyol and Valencia added another layer to the weekend’s drama. On September 23, the two clubs met at the RCDE Stadium and produced a 2-2 draw, extending a peculiar run of five consecutive draws between them—a streak that began in December 2021 when Espanyol last beat Valencia 2-1 at the Mestalla.

That pattern underscores how tightly matched the two sides are, despite their divergent league positions. While Espanyol fights for a Champions League spot, Valencia battles to secure its stay in the top flight. The draw kept both teams honest, offering a glimpse of tactical adjustments that could shape the rest of the season.

Overall, early September has painted a vivid picture of a competitive La Liga landscape. Real Madrid’s dominance, Espanyol’s solid home record, and Valencia’s resurgence after a massive setback illustrate why the league remains unpredictable. Fans can expect the chase for European spots and the fight against relegation to stay intense as the season progresses.