CORNELLÀ DE LLOBREGAT, Spain (Interstat) — Espanyol opened its La Liga season with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday at RCDE Stadium, getting a goal from Pere Milla in the 69th minute and an insurance strike from Kike García in second-half stoppage time.

The home side controlled much of the match, holding Athletic Bilbao without a goal while creating several dangerous chances. Milla put Espanyol ahead when he finished a sequence that originated from a corner kick, slotting the ball past Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simón. The goal came at a moment when Athletic Bilbao had begun to assert some pressure, and it quieted the visitors’ momentum.

Espanyol doubled the lead in the second minute of added time. Kike García, a forward, collected a pass and beat the defense to seal the result. The goal was assisted by Yeray Álvarez, who had entered the match as a substitute earlier in the half. Álvarez also received a yellow card in the 46th minute, the only booking of the game.

Both sides had opportunities in a first half that lacked goals but featured end-to-end action. Espanyol’s defense, anchored by central defenders Leandro Cabrera and Sergi Gómez, absorbed Athletic Bilbao’s attempts to break through. Athletic Bilbao’s attack, led by Iñaki Williams, could not find a way past goalkeeper Joan García, who recorded a clean sheet in his first start of the season.

The victory gave Espanyol a 1-0 record in La Liga competition and across all competitions. Athletic Bilbao fell to 0-1 in league play and in all competitions.

Kike García’s goal and assist from Yeray Álvarez highlighted a strong performance from Espanyol’s forward line. Milla, who operated primarily on the left wing, was a constant threat with his movement and link-up play. García, a target forward, used his physical presence to occupy defenders and eventually got on the scoresheet.

Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde made several tactical adjustments in the second half, introducing fresh legs in midfield, but his team could not generate a clear equalizer. The visitors’ best chance came in the 78th minute when a header from central defender Dani Vivian went just wide of the post.

Espanyol’s possession-based approach frustrated Athletic Bilbao, who pressed high but often left gaps that Milla and García exploited. The home side finished with a higher share of possession and more shots on target, according to match statistics.

The result marked a strong start for Espanyol under manager Manolo González, who has emphasized defensive solidity and quick transitions. The team’s ability to score late goals in the first match of the season provided a morale boost heading into the next fixture.

Athletic Bilbao will look to rebound in its second league match, while Espanyol aims to build on the winning start.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Espanyol 1, Athletic Bilbao 1. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Espanyol with an 84.20 percent probability to win.