In a hundred and twenty meters and a few seconds, Wednesday, the evening of Atlético Madrid tipped from a potential victory 4-1 which allowed them to regain their second place, in front of Real Madrid, to a 3-2 which offered a respite and hope for Espanyol Barcelona in their quest to maintain. Stumbling against Barcelona goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco in the 74th minute, Antoine Griezmann did not imagine that, on the counter, his own goalkeeper Ivo Grbic would concede a penalty and allow Joselu to revive the nineteenth of La Liga.
Especially since the game, until then, had been easy for the French teammates, who had quickly led to the score thanks to Saul Niguez (21st), scorer in an impossible angle. The next two goals, one just before halftime by Griezmann precisely (45th), the other just after thanks to Yannick Carrasco (46th) even drew a second period of management. But by not concretizing their domination, the Colchoneros let Espanyol return by Cesar Montes on a corner (64th) then, therefore, by Joselu on the penalty (76th).
Overwhelmed by the Barcelona waves, Diego Simeone’s men ended up giving in on a header from Vini Souza (79th) and they could even have sunk if Joselu had not lost his duel against Ivo Grbic (83rd). Two days before the end of the Championship, this point allows Espanyol, still 19th, to stay in contact with Getafe, winner of Bétis Sevilla (0-1)Cadiz, beaten by Villarreal (2-0) and Valladolid, all three points ahead. On the other hand, Atlético sees Real Madrid, winner of Rayo Vallecano earlierp him and find himself third.