Osasuna falls to Espanyol, 2-0

A brace by forward Roberto Fernández helped the visitors secure the win.

Club Atlético Osasuna (2-1-2, 7 points) lost 2-0 to Espanyol (1-1-2, 4 points) at El Sadar Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Forward Roberto Fernández scored both goals for the visitors, securing the win.

Espanyol took an early lead when Fernández scored in the third minute. Two minutes later, Osasuna midfielder Kike Barja delivered a dangerous cross to forward Ante Budimir, but the Croatian international failed to convert.

In the 11th minute, Osasuna forward Raúl García was brought down in the box by Espanyol defender Clemens Riedel, but neither the referee nor VAR awarded a penalty. Six minutes later, Fernández doubled Espanyol’s lead with a tap-in from a low cross by defender Omar El Hilali. Osasuna’s Rubén García found the net soon after, but the goal was disallowed because the ball had gone out of play before Barja’s cross. Despite controlling possession, Osasuna struggled to create clear chances, with midfielder Iker Muñoz’s dangerous shot stopped by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

In the second half, Osasuna head coach Luis Miguel Ramis made attacking changes to push his team forward. Although Osasuna increased its possession, their crosses and attempts failed to produce a goal. In the final minutes, forwards Raúl Moro and Jonathan Dubasin each forced saves from Dmitrovic, but Espanyol held on for the win.

Osasuna returns to action Wednesday, Sept. 16, against Atlético de Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CET (6 p.m. BST, 1 p.m. ET).