The LaLiga leaders upset by Carlos Romero’s 85th minute strike that snatched victory for the relegation-battling hosts.LaLiga leaders Real Madrid were stunned at lowly Espanyol after losing 1-0 thanks to a late Carlos Romero goal.
The result means Real, on 49 points, are one point clear of Atletico Madrid, who beat Mallorca 2-0, before next weekend’s Spanish capital derby at Santiago Bernabeu.
Third-placed Barcelona, who play Alaves on Sunday, are on 42 points.
Vinicius Jr appeared to have given Real the lead in the 21st minute on Saturday after latching onto Kylian Mbappe’s pass. However, the goal was disallowed after the Frenchman had fouled Espanyol’s Pol Lozano in the build-up.
The hosts kept Real at bay in the second half, with Lucas Vazquez, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham all having efforts brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
The visitors were aggrieved when, on a breakaway attack, Romero fouled a running Mbappe from behind, but was only shown a yellow card as the Real players appealed for a VAR review.
“This foul is inexplicable, the decision they made, the referee, the VAR. The most important thing is to take care of the player and protect him. It was a very bad tackle that risked injury, which fortunately did not happen,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. Advertisement
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