BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A penalty converted by Joselu Mato deep in stoppage time completed Espanyol’s fightback to secure a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo in their Spanish league opener on Saturday.
Joselu drilled home his spot kick in the eighth minute of injury time after the referee used a video review to decide that Óscar Mingueza had fouled Espanyol’s new striker in the area.
Celta looked set to roll to a comfortable win after Iago Aspas opened the scoring in first-half injury time and Goncalo Paciencia headed in a second goal in the 63rd.
But Espanyol started its comeback at Balaídos Stadium when Edu Expósito fired in a poor clearance by Celta’s defense in the 72nd. Celta still seemed in control until Mingueza, who joined the team from Barcelona this offseason, knocked Joselu down in the box.
“The sensations are marvelous, losing 2-0 the team showed its character,” Expósito said.
Expósito, Joselu and Paciencia were all making their club debuts for their teams. It was also the debut for Espanyol coach Diego Martínez, who returned to coaching after a one-year hiatus following his successful stint at Granada.
Joselu, who scored in double digits each of the three seasons he played for previous club Alavés, led Espanyol’s attack with Spain striker Raúl de Tomás recovering from a nagging injury.
Paciencia said that Celta “deserved the win and ended up letting two points slip away.”
The draw comes after a difficult summer for Celta. The club has decided not to play two of its top players, striker Santi Mina and midfielder Denis Suárez, who, according to the club, represent 20% of its salary budget. Celta has dropped Mina from its squad since a Spanish court found him guilty in May of sexually abusing a woman. The club has left Suárez off its squad for a dispute with the club president.
Later on Saturday, Robert Lewandowski can debut for Barcelona when it hosts Rayo Vallecano, while Villarreal is at Valladolid.
On Friday, the league season kicked off with Osasuna beating Sevilla 2-1.
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