MADRID, Oct 4: Madrid lost 2-1 at Espanyol on Sunday to see its 25-game unbeaten streak in the Spanish league come to an end. The defeat extended its winless run to three matches in all competitions after what had been a near-perfect start to the season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team was coming off a shock home loss to Moldovan club Sheriff in the Champions League. “We played poorly,” Ancelotti said.
Madrid had started the season with six victories in its first seven matches overall before being held by Villarreal and losing to Sheriff. It had thrived offensively, entering the weekend with the league’s best attack with 21 goals in seven matches.
Madrid hadn’t lost a league match since a 2-1 home defeat against Levante last season. It was unbeaten in 18 straight away games in the competition, one short of its all-time record. It was the second consecutive win for promoted Espanyol.
De Tomás opened the scoring for the hosts from close range in the 17th minute and Aleix Vidal added to the lead in the 60th from inside the area after a nice run past the Madrid defense.
Karim Benzema had a goal disallowed in the 67th for offside but found the net again in a breakaway in the 71st
Real Sociedad missed its chance to take sole possession of the lead with a draw at struggling Getafe. Sandro Ramírez put the hosts ahead in the first half and Mikel Oyarzabal equalized for Sociedad in the 68th.
Darío Benedetto scored early in the second half as Elche beat Celta Vigo 1-0 to end a three-match winless streak.
Arnaut Danjuma scored twice as unbeaten Villarreal beat Real Betis 2-0. (AP)
