RCD Espanyol de Barcelona 2–0 Athletic Club | La Liga | 14 May 2026

RCD Espanyol de Barcelona secured a vital 2-0 victory over Athletic Club at the RCDE Stadium on Thursday night, boosting their hopes of a top‑half finish in La Liga. The home side produced a disciplined and clinical performance, netting once in each half to see off a frustrated Athletic side that struggled to break down Espanyol’s compact defensive shape.

First‑half breakthrough

Espanyol took the lead in the 28th minute through a well‑worked move down the right flank. Right‑back Omar El Hilali overlapped and delivered a low cross that was turned home first‑time by attacking midfielder Javi Puado, who placed the ball beyond the reach of Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón. The goal gave Espanyol the confidence to dictate the tempo, and they controlled possession until the interval.

Sealing the win after the break

Athletic Club improved after the restart, with Oihan Sancet and Iñaki Williams testing Espanyol’s defensive line. However, the visitors were unable to convert their pressure into clear chances. Espanyol doubled their lead on 67 minutes when striker Martin Braithwaite latched onto a long ball from defensive midfielder Keidi Bare, shrugged off a challenge from Aitor Paredes, and slotted calmly across Simón into the far corner.

Tactical story

Espanyol coach Luis García set his team up in a compact 4‑4‑2, pressing Athletic high early on and then dropping into a mid‑block once ahead. Athletic, under Ernesto Valverde, struggled to find width against Espanyol’s narrow defensive lines, often resorting to long‑range efforts that never seriously troubled goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco. The home side’s two‑goal margin was a fair reflection of their efficiency in front of goal and defensive solidity.

Standout performers

• Javi Puado – scored the opener and was a constant threat in the half‑space.
• Keidi Bare – anchored midfield, breaking up play and starting attacks with simple, effective passing.
• Fernando Pacheco – made three comfortable saves and commanded his area well.

Impact on the table

With this result, Espanyol moved up to 10th place in La Liga, now level on points with Sevilla. Athletic Club remained 7th, missing the chance to close the gap on European places. The win keeps Espanyol in contention for a potential Conference League spot if results go their way in the final weeks of the season.