Roberto rules at Cornellà: double, 17 points Comunio and a 3-0 that fires up Espanyol

RCD Espanyol

The match opened the 2026/27 season for two teams that had shared the fight for survival during the previous campaign. Manolo González faced the debut without two key attacking pieces such as Javi Puado and Kike García, but he found an immediate response from Roberto and several young players. Levante, coached by Luís Castro, were looking to start a new campaign on the front foot after finishing last season in the lower zone, but they never managed to feel comfortable under the pressure and the home side's attacking mobility.

First half

Espanyol needed very little to tilt the game. They had been looking for the goal from the opening attacks when, in the 5th minute, a set-piece action ended up becoming 1-0. Edu Expósito put the free kick into the area, the Granota defense failed to clear the move, and Roberto Fernández appeared a few yards from goal to finish the loose ball with a striker's instinct.

The goal allowed the pericos to play with the initiative. Levante tried to have spells of possession, but they struggled to get past the first press and, above all, to maintain momentum when reaching the final third. At the other end, Javi Hernández grew into the game from the left and forced Mathew Ryan into action, while Álex Calatrava also tested the Australian goalkeeper. Ryan kept a team that was conceding too much space at bay for several minutes whenever Espanyol stepped on the gas.

The gap increased in the 40th minute. Javi Hernández advanced down the left, gained depth, and found Roberto with a low delivery, who again attacked the area with an advantage. The forward adjusted his movement and made it 2-0, completing his double before halftime. It was a move that summed up much of the first half: recovery or a quick outlet, width out wide, and Roberto's presence in the area where he could do the most damage.

Levante reached the break without a sufficient attacking response. Aïssa Mandi had a header to his name and Iván Romero tried from distance, but the Valencian side couldn't force Dmitrovic into any serious saves.

Second half

Luís Castro changed the attack after halftime with the introduction of Etta Eyong and Enzo Bardeli for Paco Cortés and Carlos Álvarez. The intention was clear: add presence up front and change a game that had become too comfortable for Espanyol. The effect, however, was limited.

Manolo González's side continued to find spaces. Dolan appeared several times from the left and Calatrava again tested Ryan, while Levante could barely turn their possession into real danger. Even with Etta Eyong as a reference point, the Granotas finished the match without a single shot on target, a stat that explains Dmitrovic's calm evening.

The game also marked the Primera debut of Marc Santos, who came on in the 64th minute to replace Iván Romero at just 15 years old. It was one of the few positive notes for a Levante side that still couldn't find a route to the home area.

The 3-0 arrived in the 80th minute. With Levante forced to push up, Espanyol found the transition they had been threatening for some time. Rafa Bauza took part in the build-up and Tyrhys Dolan finished the counter with a left-footed cross-shot that beat Ryan. The Englishman had been a key figure throughout the match and ended by turning his persistence into a goal.

With the result already decided, Espanyol managed the closing minutes and even created further chances to extend the gap. The 3-0 allows the pericos to start with three points and sit in the top area of the table provisionally, while Levante leaves Cornellà with plenty of work still to do in terms of attacking output.

Comunio / Sofascore standout players

17

Roberto Fernández
9.600.000€+1.150.000€    -

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DL

02

For Espanyol, Roberto Fernández was the big fantasy name of the match. His two goals took him up to 17 Comunio points and an 8.7 rating on Sofascore. Beyond the double, his ability to attack the area and show up at exactly the right moment turned every Espanyol approach into a threat. If he keeps that attacking weight while Kike García remains sidelined, he starts the campaign as one of the most strengthened players in the blanquiazul squad.

Tyrhys Dolan also benefited greatly: 13 Comunio points and 7.7 on Sofascore. His goal sealed the scoreline and confirmed his ability to produce from the flank. Behind them are Unai Núñez and Roger Hinojo, both with 8 Comunio points and 7.5 on Sofascore, rewarded for a defensive display that left Levante with no shots on goal. Javi Hernández, with 8 points and a 7.3, was another important piece thanks to his depth and the assist for the second goal.

7

Nacho Pérez
440.000€+20.000€    -

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DF

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For Levante, Nacho Pérez was the best-rated player, with 7 Comunio points and 7.3 on Sofascore. The full-back had a lot of defensive work to do and, despite the result, managed to maintain a notable individual rating. Adrián de la Fuente also saved acceptable scores, with 5 points and 7.0, and Aïssa Mandi, with 5 points and 6.9.

The negative fantasy side was Etta Eyong, who finished with -2 Comunio points and a 6.2 rating on Sofascore. He came on at halftime looking to change the team's attacking output, but he couldn't alter the script of a Levante side that barely created any danger. For managers, the contrast is clear after this opening matchday: Roberto and Dolan come out strongly boosted, while several Granota attacking pieces will need to improve their impact to regain appeal.

Match details

Result: RCD Espanyol 3-0 Levante UD.

Goals: 1-0, Roberto Fernández (5'); 2-0, Roberto Fernández (40'); 3-0, Tyrhys Dolan (80').

Stadium: RCDE Stadium.

Referee: Carlos Muñiz Muñoz.

RCD Espanyol: Dmitrovic; Omar El Hilali, Unai Núñez, Clemens Riedel, Roger Hinojo; Urko González de Zárate, Edu Expósito; Álex Calatrava, Javi Hernández, Tyrhys Dolan; Roberto Fernández.

Levante UD: Mathew Ryan; Nacho Pérez, Aïssa Mandi, Adrián de la Fuente, Manu Sánchez; Oriol Rey, Jon Olasagasti; Víctor García, Carlos Álvarez, Paco Cortés; Iván Romero.