In the final match of La Liga Round 17, a night that many fans following league trends after a Crickex Sign Up were watching closely, Athletic Bilbao hosted Espanyol in what was also the league’s last fixture of the calendar year. Athletic initially took control and went ahead 1-0, but the match took a dramatic turn as Espanyol showed remarkable resilience, completing a comeback to win 2-1 away from home. This result once again highlighted how impressive Espanyol have been this season. A team that was fighting relegation not long ago now sits comfortably inside the top five, emerging as one of La Liga’s most surprising success stories.
Playing away against Athletic Bilbao, a side with proven Champions League pedigree, Espanyol delivered a performance that could define their season. The hosts struck first in the 38th minute during a scramble near the edge of the box, where Berenguer reacted quickest to poke the ball past the goalkeeper. However, Espanyol refused to let their heads drop. Just minutes later, Carlos Romero unleashed a stunning first time volley from outside the penalty area, sending the ball into the corner and leveling the score at 1-1 with a strike worthy of any highlight reel.
After the break, Espanyol grew in confidence and began to dictate the tempo. In the 52nd minute, Melamed timed his run perfectly to meet a teammate’s cross and calmly finished from close range, turning the match on its head. From that point on, Espanyol defended as a unit, absorbing sustained pressure and keeping Athletic at bay. The final whistle confirmed a priceless three points, a result that felt like six given the context of the top four race.
This victory extended Espanyol’s winning streak to five consecutive league matches. Apart from Barcelona, no team in La Liga is currently showing better form. They remain fifth in the standings, just two points behind fourth placed Villarreal and only four points off third place Atletico Madrid. For observers tracking momentum shifts through platforms like Crickex Sign Up, Espanyol’s trajectory suggests they are not simply along for the ride but genuinely capable of challenging the established order.
Looking ahead, the focus for Espanyol is crystal clear. As many analysts following league permutations via a Crickex Sign Up have noted, finishing inside the top five could be enough to secure Champions League qualification. La Liga earned five Champions League spots last season, and if Spanish clubs maintain a top two coefficient ranking in Europe, the same allocation will apply again. After years of being labeled a yo yo club, Espanyol finally look ready to break the cycle. If they can sustain this form, a return to Europe’s elite stage would be nothing short of a fairytale finish.