Espanyol comeback stuns Atletico Madrid
Pere Milla's superb header completed a late turnaround for Espanyol as it came from a goal behind to stun Atletico Madrid 2-1 in its LaLiga opener.
Julian Alvarez's stunning free-kick had given Diego Simeone's side the lead, but two goals in 11 second-half minutes saw Espanyol make a winning start to 2025-2026.
Atleti started strongly at RCDE Stadium but was unable to beat Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, with Conor Gallagher, David Hancko and Alvarez all going close.
But Dmitrovic could do nothing to stop Atletico from taking a 37th-minute lead, with Alvarez picking out the top-left corner with a sensational free-kick from 25 yards out.
Alvarez came close to doubling his and Atletico's tally shortly before the hour, but could only rifle his shot against the woodwork, and the visitors were made to pay.
After Marcos Llorente had given away a needless foul, the resulting set-piece saw Miguel Rubio's sliding effort creep in at Jan Oblak's near post from inside the area.
The comeback was complete six minutes from time when Omar El Hilali's delivery into the box was met by Milla's stooping header that looped over Oblak's outstretched arm.
Earlier in the day, Athletic Club was also helped by some late heroics from Robert Navarro, whose 81st-minute goal helped his side edge a five-goal thriller 3-2 against Sevilla.
Two strikes in six minutes at the end of the first half from Nico Williams and Maroan Sannadi had Athletic ahead, but Sevilla halved the deficit on the hour through Dodi Lukebakio.
Lucien Agoume restored parity at Estadio de San Mames in the 72nd minute, only for Bilbao substitute Navarro to seal the win with a bouncing volley into the top-right corner.
