Overview

• Julian Álvarez opened the scoring in the 37th minute with a long-range strike that set Atlético ahead at RCDE Stadium
• Miguel Rubio’s 73rd-minute goal and Pere Milla’s 84th-minute header completed Espanyol’s unexpected comeback
• Diego Simeone fielded five summer signings in a 4-1-4-1 formation as he sought to integrate a largely overhauled squad
• Alexis Ruggeri started and Giacomo Raspadori made his Atlético debut as a 68th-minute substitute
• Atlético’s second-half substitutions, including Koke for Johnny Cardoso, failed to halt Espanyol’s momentum