Carrasco’s last-minute penalty fires Atletico to 2-1 win over Espanyol

Madrid, Apr 17 (EFE).- Yannick Carrasco on Sunday led Atletico Madrid to a 2-1 victory over Espanyol, ending a three-game winless drought.

The Rojiblancos had to wait until deep in stoppage time to secure the victory after two defeats and a draw across all competitions, a negative run that saw them excluded from the Champions League.

The Belgian midfielder delivered from the 12-yard spot after his team was awarded a penalty for a handball by Raul de Tomas in the final play of the match.

After reviewing the incident on the sideline screen, referee Figueroa Vazquez gave Atletico a penalty kick 10 minutes into injury time, turning De Tomas into the villain of the evening.

The Spaniard had scored Espanyol’s lone goal off a set-piece in the 74th minute on the verge of the area awarded over a handball by Geoffrey Kondogbia, who was sent off after being booked for the second time.

De Tomas’s goal canceled the lead Atletico took in the 52nd minute on a close-range shot by Carrasco.

The victory brings Atletico’s season tally to 60 points, tying it in terms of ranking points with Barcelona and Sevilla, who are second and third respectively in La Liga table, and putting them three points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis.

Sevilla will host Real Madrid later in the day, while Barcelona take on Cadiz on Monday.

Espanyol, meanwhile, are in the 12th spot on the table with 39 points.

EFE Id-ta/bp