Seventh-place one season ago, La Liga mainstays Espanyol are being relegated from Spain’s top flight.
The final decision came at the hands of their Catalan neighbors Barcelona, who got a second-half goal from Luis Suarez to relegate Espanyol.
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Espanyol are 11 points back of 17th place and can only capture nine more points this season following the 1-0 loss in a match where both teams had a player sent off.
Suarez’s goal was a nice one after Antoine Griezmann’s back heel pass to Lionel Messi saw the Argentine’s shot deflect onto the path of the Uruguayan finisher.
Espanyol had been in the top flight since 1994 and has only spent four single seasons outside La Liga since 1929. Leganes and Mallorca may join them soon.
Barcelona moves a point back of Real Madrid. Real has four matches left to Barca’s three and holds the tiebreaker.
Luis Suarez breaks the deadlock! @FCBarcelona up 1-0 over @RCDEspanyol #BarcaEspanyol
📺 – beIN SPORTS
💻📱 – beIN SPORTS CONNEC: https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/O0Z8LSXSLO— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) July 8, 2020