Espanyol vs Athletic: Pere Milla and Kike García secure vital 2-0 win at RCDE Stadium
Espanyol vs Athletic — Espanyol beat Athletic Club 2-0 at the RCDE Stadium on May 13, 2026, with Pere Milla and Kike García scoring to deliver three crucial points.
Match snapshot
The home side broke a long winless sequence to claim a 2-0 victory in LaLiga matchday 36, turning a tense contest into a late celebration for the RCDE faithful. (europapress.es)
Athletic dominated stretches of the first half but failed to convert chances, while Espanyol grew into the game and punished the visitors in the final third. The decisive goals came from Milla in the 69th minute and a stoppage-time strike from Kike García, sealing the result. (athletic-club.eus)
How the goals unfolded
Pere Milla opened the scoring after a sustained period of Espanyol pressure, meeting a Carlos Romero delivery and finishing with a composed strike that found the top corner. The goal changed the momentum and relieved mounting anxiety among the home supporters. (mundodeportivo.com)
The second goal arrived deep into added time when Kike García reacted quickest inside the box following a Ramón Terrats pass, putting the match beyond Athletic’s reach. The late finish prompted euphoric celebrations among the Espanyol players and fans. (apwin.com)
Tactical battle and decisive moments
Espanyol set up to absorb early pressure and look for moments on the break, prioritizing compact defensive lines and quick transitions through wide channels. That approach limited Athletic’s clear-cut chances despite the visitors controlling possession for long spells in the opening 45 minutes. (eurosport.es)
Athletic’s best opportunities fell in the first half and from set pieces, including a header that rattled the woodwork and a sequence that saw Marko Dmitrović produce a vital stop. However, the visitors lacked the final finish, and their inability to capitalize proved costly. (mundodeportivo.com)
Key individual performances
Marko Dmitrović was a steady presence in goal for Espanyol, making several important saves that kept the score level until Milla’s breakthrough. His reflections on the contest underlined how pivotal goalkeeper interventions were to the final outcome. (mundodeportivo.com)
Pere Milla and Kike García emerged as the match-winners, the former for his well-timed run and accurate finish and the latter for clinical composure when it mattered most. On Athletic’s side, several offensive outlets caused moments of concern but could not convert chances into goals. (mundodeportivo.com)
Manager reactions and dressing-room mood
Espanyol coach Manolo González described the victory as a huge emotional release for the club, emphasizing that while the win brings vital breathing space, the objective is not yet mathematically secure. His comments reflected relief and a focus on the remaining fixtures. (as.com)
Ernesto Valverde, manager of Athletic, was left to lament missed opportunities and an inability to close out key phases of the game that might have swung the result. His post-match remarks alluded to the fine margins that separate securing European ambitions from the disappointment of defeat. (vavel.com)
Statistical context and season implications
Espanyol’s victory snapped a lengthy run without a win and significantly improved their position in the relegation battle, providing momentum ahead of the final rounds of LaLiga. The three points make the remaining fixtures even more decisive for the club’s survival hopes. (pericos.es)
For Athletic, the defeat dented their European push and left them with work to do in the closing fixtures to preserve continental aspirations. The result underlined recurring finishing problems the team has encountered in recent weeks and the need for sharper execution in front of goal. (vavel.com)
Atmosphere at RCDE Stadium and fan reaction
The RCDE Stadium provided a charged atmosphere as supporters sensed the significance of the occasion for their club’s survival bid, reacting vocally to both defensive stands and the late goals. Scenes of celebration after the final whistle captured the release that followed a season-long stretch of pressure. (mundodeportivo.com)
Inside the home dressing room the mood was exuberant but measured, with players and staff aware that while the win was crucial, the task of securing top-flight safety remains to be completed across the remaining weeks. The club and supporters now await the next fixtures with cautious optimism. (pericos.es)
Espanyol’s 2-0 win over Athletic at the RCDE Stadium on May 13, 2026, provided a pivotal three points delivered by Pere Milla and Kike García, and reshaped the closing stages of both teams’ LaLiga campaigns.
