Espanyol – Mallorca

Unbelievable! Espanyol salvages a late draw against Mallorca with a stoppage-time equalizer

A tale of two halves: Mallorca's dominance fades in the second

The match between Espanyol and Mallorca unfolded as a tale of two halves. Mallorca dominated the first half, controlling possession and creating several scoring opportunities. Their efforts were rewarded in the 35th minute when Vedat Muriqi headed home a cross from Pablo Maffeo.

However, Espanyol emerged from the break with a renewed determination and gradually wrestled control of the game away from Mallorca. They pressed higher up the pitch, forcing Mallorca to make mistakes and concede possession. The pressure eventually paid off in the 80th minute when Joselu tapped in a rebound from close range.

A dramatic finish: Espanyol snatch a point in injury time

As the match entered stoppage time, Espanyol threw everything forward in search of a winner. Their persistence was rewarded in the 93rd minute when Leandro Cabrera's powerful header found the back of the net. The goal sent the RCDE Stadium into raptures and secured a vital point for Espanyol in their quest for survival.

Player ratings: Muriqi and Cabrera shine

Vedat Muriqi (Mallorca): 7.5 - A constant threat in the air, Muriqi scored the opening goal and caused problems for the Espanyol defense throughout the match. Leandro Cabrera (Espanyol): 8.0 - Solid in defense and decisive in attack, Cabrera scored the equalizer and was a key figure in Espanyol's second-half resurgence. Martin Valjent (Mallorca): 6.5 - Made several important tackles and interceptions but was occasionally caught out of position.

Conclusion: A hard-fought draw with implications for both teams

The draw leaves Espanyol 14th in the La Liga standings, four points above the relegation zone. Mallorca, meanwhile, remain in 10th place, seven points behind the European qualification spots.