The highly anticipated Catalan derby between Espanyol and Barcelona, part of Matchday 36 of LaLiga, began under intense tension both on and off the pitch. Just moments before kickoff, a mass vehicular incident near the RCDE Stadium sparked concern and led to a brief pause in the match.

Vehicle Incident Outside the Stadium

Before the kickoff, a white vehicle surrounded by fans awaiting the teams’ arrival accelerated erratically, moving forwards and backwards into the crowd. Several individuals were hit, and the scene quickly turned chaotic, with panic and confusion setting in as some people were trapped underneath the car.

Emergency services responded immediately, deploying at least seven ambulances to attend to the victims. Though the footage was distressing, both local authorities and RCD Espanyol confirmed via loudspeaker announcements that no serious injuries were reported—only minor injuries sustained.

According to Mossos d’Esquadra, the incident is currently being treated as an accident. Initial findings suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle, and no evidence points to any intentional act or terror-related motives. The driver was detained on the spot for questioning as the investigation continues, via Marca and Radio COPE.

Match Halted Briefly for Security Protocols

While the match between Manolo González’s Espanyol and Hansi Flick’s Barcelona kicked off as scheduled, it was temporarily stopped in the opening minutes. Officials paused the game to reassess security protocols and ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium.

Despite the unsettling start, the derby resumed shortly after without further issues. Thanks to the swift response of emergency teams and law enforcement, the situation was brought under control, allowing the football to continue.