Espanyol finally ended their 143-day winless run with a dramatic 2-0 victory over Athletic Club, lifting them to 14th in La Liga and easing relegation fears. The stoppage-time goal from substitute Kike García sparked wild celebrations, with manager Manolo González breaking down in tears after the final whistle.
González, whose side had not won since beating Athletic in December, admitted the strain had been immense. 'You have to be strong in life but, bloody hell, we all have limits,' he said. 'I felt a great liberation. People don't realise what the suffering has been like inside.' The win came after 18 league matches without victory in 2026, a run that saw them slip from European contention to the brink of the drop zone.
Pere Milla had put Espanyol ahead with a superb volley before García sealed the win in the 92nd minute. The result leaves the Catalan club three points clear of the relegation places, with three rounds remaining. 'We haven't done anything yet,' Milla cautioned. 'It's a relief to win, but we can't be forgiven for the last 18 games.'
The victory was especially poignant for González, who described the period as the worst of his life after the death of his uncle. A former amateur player whose fiery temperament earned him the nickname 'Stoichkov', he has coached Espanyol through a turbulent season that saw them climb to sixth in February before collapsing.
With just three points separating 12th from 19th, the relegation battle remains intensely tight. Even Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde admitted he was worried his own side could still go down. For now, though, Espanyol can breathe again — but the fight for survival is far from over.
