Sestao beats Espanyol 4-3 in extra time, and Espanyol sacks coach Manolo González

A cup exit on a waterlogged pitch

Espanyol were knocked out of the Copa del Rey on 27 October after a 4-3 defeat at Las Llanas, the municipal ground in Sestao, against Sestao River of Segunda Federación. Heavy rain turned the surface into mud, and the ground, which holds just over 4,000 spectators, was not full. Several outlets described the pitch as being in poor condition, and the conditions suited the hosts, who kept winning the physical duels. According to ABC, Espanyol became the first Primera División side to leave the competition this season, even though the club has won the cup four times, most recently in the 2005/06 season.

How the goals came

Marcos Fernández gave Espanyol the lead from the penalty spot in the 6th minute. Adri Carrión equalised in the 18th minute after Hinojo slipped and Dmitrovic was beaten, and Ugarte headed in a corner in the 39th minute to put the hosts 2-1 up at half-time. Espanyol dominated the second half without creating clear chances, according to El Mundo. Roberto converted a penalty in the 90th minute, awarded for a foul on Edu Expósito, to level the tie at 2-2. Moscardó restored Espanyol's lead early in extra time, but Laka headed the equaliser in the 97th minute. Jon Rojo settled the tie in the 121st minute by pushing a loose ball over the line as the match was heading towards a penalty shootout.

Manolo González out

The club confirmed that it had decided to end the spell of Manolo González, who had been in charge for two years and seven months, according to El Periódico. He had 100 matches in charge, the ninth most in the club's history, according to El País. The club's statement said:

“Espanyol has decided to end Manolo's spell at the club.”

Sergio García, who coaches the reserve team, could take charge on an interim basis, El País reported. After the defeat, Manolo González said:

“It is one of the worst days of my life, I love Espanyol.”

A league slump behind the exit

Espanyol lost 0-0 at Racing at El Sardinero on Saturday, 24 October, according to El Mundo, and the team has dropped into the relegation places in La Liga. El Periódico says the side has gone five league rounds without a win and has taken one point from a possible 15. RTVE says the team has taken only one point from the last fifteen available. El Mundo noted that the new project under sporting director Monchi has not met expectations so far. Espanyol had also lost in the cup to Barbastro in 2024 and to Atlético Baleares in 2025, El Periódico reported. Elsewhere in the same round, Elche beat Pinatar 3-1 after Pinatar had taken the lead.