Heart attack and controversy match in Mestalla. Espanyol was not saved from relegation to the second division after drawing two goals with Valencia on date 37 of LaLiga. Despite the fact that the Mexican César Montes scored again, it was not enough to keep his team in the first division of Spain.
Valencia struck first with a goal from Diego López at minute 38, but César Montes retaliated two minutes later with a spectacular header that left Valencia goalkeeper Mamardashvili without options. The Mexican had already scored a goal against Atlético Madrid during the week, allowing Espanyol to rescue a golden point.
However, Montes’ third goal of the season was not enough to save his team from relegation in a game that was embroiled in controversy. After the Norwegian Martin Braithwaite scored 2-1 at minute 49 to make the “Pericos” dream, the referee Jesús Gil Manzano was involved in controversy after annulling what could have been the saving goal.
At minute 77, César Montes won a header that was mistakenly canceled due to a non-existent foul by the Mexican on goalkeeper Mamardashvili. The Espanyol center-back won the aerial duel with the Valencia goalkeeper and the referee interpreted that he pushed him into the air, despite the fact that Mamardashvili did not have the ball in his hands.
Samu Lino was in charge of sending Espanyol to second place after tying the game 2-2 with a powerful right hand to the left corner at minute 93. The scenario was against the Catalan team, because to be relegated they had to tie at Mestalla and Getafe, Cádiz and Valladolid had to win. Getafe and Cádiz won while Valladolid drew
With this tie, Espanyol ends in 19th position with a date remaining before LaLiga ends, four units from the salvation positions.