Drkušić in anticipation of the Madrid giant, for the first time in the fire also Barcelona

Vanja Drkušić has made his debut with Espanyol during the second round of La Liga, playing the final half-hour of their match against Real Madrid. The game ended in a 1–2 defeat for Espanyol, with Real Madrid securing victory through goals from Bellingham and a late winner from 21-year-old Carlos Espi. Drkušić, who was loaned to Espanyol from Zenit Saint Petersburg, entered the match in the 66th minute and played key minutes on the right side of defense. The second round of La Liga began on August 21, 2026, with several matches taking place across Spain. In the opening match, Betis defeated Real Sociedad 1–0 thanks to a goal from Rodrigo Riquelme in the 63rd minute. Other notable results included Athletic Bilbao’s 3–1 win over Sevilla, Valencia drawing 0–0 with Celta Vigo, and Rayo Vallecano holding a 1–1 draw with Alaves. These results saw several teams climb the league table, including Sevilla, which leads with six points after two games. Real Madrid, despite missing some players due to international duty at the FIFA World Cup, managed to secure a crucial win against Espanyol. The match, held at Cornella-El Prat, started evenly, with both sides showing strong performances. In the first half, Real Madrid took the lead through a well-timed strike by Bellingham, who scored from a cross by Güler. However, Espanyol equalized shortly before halftime when Alex Calatrava converted a left-footed shot following a precise pass from Javi Hernandez. In the second half, Real Madrid regained control and extended their lead with another goal from Bellingham, who headed the ball into the net. But Espanyol refused to surrender and pushed forward relentlessly, creating numerous chances. The decisive moment came in the 90th minute, when substitute Carlos Espi, making his La Liga debut, found himself in space just outside the penalty area. He calmly slotted the ball past Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Marko Dmitrović, to give Espanyol hope. Although the scoreline remained 2–1 in favor of Real Madrid, Espi’s performance was hailed as a standout moment in the match. Meanwhile, Vanja Drkušić continued to impress during his time on the pitch. Having joined Espanyol on loan from Zenit Saint Petersburg, he showcased his defensive skills, particularly on the right flank. His presence added stability to Espanyol’s backline, and his contribution was recognized by fans and analysts alike. Despite the loss, Drkušić’s appearance marked a positive step in his career, offering a glimpse of potential for future success with the club. Looking ahead, the upcoming fixtures promise more excitement as the season progresses. On Sunday, Atletico Madrid will host Villarreal, while Getafe faces Racing Santander, and Elche takes on Barcelona. Additionally, Osasuna will challenge Levante, and Malaga will take on Deportivo. The top of the table remains competitive, with Sevilla leading the charge, followed closely by Alaves and Espanyol. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on these clubs as they aim to establish dominance early in the campaign.