Real Madrid faced another defeat, their first in the Spanish league this season and their second in a row following the "shock" of the Champions League loss days earlier. The newly promoted Espanyol surprised the visiting Real Madrid, defeating them 2-1 in a match marked by a lackluster performance from the "Royal" team. Coach Carlo Ancelotti's team has not achieved a victory in their last three matches across all competitions, but they remain at the top of the standings with 17 points, ahead of their rival Atletico Madrid on goal difference.
Espanyol scored in each half through Raúl de Tomás and Alex Vidal, climbing to 12th place with 9 points. Karim Benzema reduced the deficit with a well-placed shot 19 minutes before the end, but Real was unable to equalize, with a late goal from Eden Hazard being disallowed for offside. This defeat comes just days after the team's "humiliating" loss to the obscure Sheriff Tiraspol from Moldova in the Champions League.
