RCD Espanyol suffered its third consecutive setback in the Copa del Rey when Sestao River, a Second Federation team, beat them 4‑3 in a match that was decided in extra time. The match, held on October 27 at the Las Llanas Municipal Field, had 3,346 spectators and ended with the defeat of the parakeets, who are already four-time champions of the competition. The result leaves future coach Manolo González under scrutiny, as his team showed a series of failures that could affect its future.
Espanyol came to the match with an eleven that was reminiscent of last season's squad, highlighting the return of Dmitrovic to the goal after having lost the starting position to Fortuño. Riedel, Hinojo, Urko, Dolan and Marcos Fernández also joined, who scored the first goal of the game in the 6th minute from a penalty. Sestao River responded with a goal from Carrión in the 21st minute, tying the contest. From there, the game became frenetic, with several opportunities on both sides and a series of changes that attempted to alter the course of the match.
The score remained 1‑1 until the 40th minute, when Ugarte gave Sestao the lead goal. Espanyol tied again in the 90th minute with Roberto, also from a penalty, and Laka's goal in the 98th minute gave Sestao a 3-2 lead. In extra time, Moscardo opened the scoring for the Basque team with a header in the 96th minute, and Laka tied again in the 98th minute. Finally, in the 121st minute, Rojo scored the winning goal for Sestao, sealing the 4‑3 and leaving Espanyol with no chance of a comeback.
Coach Manolo González, who recently presented a recognizable eleven, was involved in controversy after the defeat. In his press conference, he explained that Dmitrovic's return to goal was a strategic decision, but the lack of results in attack and defense left the team unable to advance. The match was also marked by several yellow cards, including one for Javi Hernández and another for Dolan, indicating the intensity of the match.
With the defeat, Espanyol is out of the Copa del Rey and its position in the league table is affected. Sestao River, for its part, advances to the next round and remains in the title conversation. The future of Manolo González is in doubt, since the club's management will have to evaluate his performance and decide whether or not to keep the coach in office. The next step will be to see how the team responds in its next games and if it manages to regain the trust of its followers.