Yasser Zabiri’s Late Winner Completes Racing Santander Comeback Against Espanyol
Racing Santander produced a dramatic second-half turnaround to defeat Espanyol 2-1 on Saturday, earning a valuable victory in the 10th round of the Spanish league. After falling behind shortly after the break, the hosts responded with two goals, capped by a late strike from Moroccan forward Yasser Zabiri.
The result gave Racing three important points and offered their supporters plenty to celebrate. It also strengthened Zabiri’s growing reputation: his decisive finish took him to eight league goals this season, placing him level with Barcelona star Lamine Yamal in the scoring standings.
A quiet first half gives way to a tense finish
The opening period ended without a goal, with neither side able to turn its opportunities into a breakthrough. The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute, when Eduardo Expósito put Espanyol ahead. For the visitors, the goal appeared to provide a platform to manage the remainder of the match and protect a potentially significant away result.
Racing, however, refused to let the setback dictate the outcome. The home side increased the pressure and found an equaliser just seven minutes later. Januel Belocian brought Racing level, restoring momentum and setting up a tense final stretch in which both teams knew that a single moment could decide the points.
That moment arrived with roughly six minutes of normal time remaining. Zabiri found the net to put Racing in front, completing the comeback and sending the home crowd into celebration. Espanyol had little time to respond, and Racing held on to secure a 2-1 win.
Zabiri joins an exclusive La Liga goalscoring group
The winner was more than a match-deciding contribution. It was Zabiri’s eighth goal of the campaign, a total that places him among the leading scorers in the Spanish league. He is now level with Yamal, an impressive comparison given the Barcelona player’s prominence and the attention surrounding his performances.
Football statistics account Mister Chip highlighted the significance of Zabiri’s start on X, noting that the forward had reached eight goals within his first 10 La Liga appearances. The account listed a series of high-profile players who had achieved the same benchmark early in their Spanish league careers, including Johan Cruyff, Romario, Ronaldo, Christian Vieri, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Robert Lewandowski and Jude Bellingham.
The list also included Gárate, Caszely, Morena, Mágico González, Elli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Zabiri’s inclusion places him in notable company and underlines the impact he has made in front of goal. While such comparisons do not determine what comes next, they offer a useful measure of how exceptional his early scoring pace has been.
A valuable boost for Racing’s league campaign
Racing’s victory lifted the club to 11 points and 11th place in the standings. The three-point gain is significant in a competitive league campaign, where a short run of results can quickly alter a team’s position. Coming from behind also gives the win added value: Racing showed resilience after conceding and made the most of its late opportunity.
For Espanyol, the defeat leaves the club on eight points in second-from-bottom place. Having taken the lead, the visitors will be disappointed not to have protected it, particularly after Racing’s equaliser gave them a chance to reset and regain control. The loss adds pressure as Espanyol look to improve their position and turn promising moments into points.
What the result could mean next
Racing will hope the comeback can provide momentum for the matches ahead. The team’s ability to recover from a deficit, combined with Zabiri’s current scoring form, gives supporters reasons for optimism. Still, one result does not settle the wider league picture, and consistency will be essential if Racing are to climb further up the table.
Zabiri, meanwhile, will be one to watch as the season develops. His eight goals have already made him a central figure in Racing’s attack, and his late winner showed his ability to deliver under pressure. The next challenge is to sustain that form as opponents adapt to the threat he poses.
For fans searching for a football prediction or an early indication of how the campaign might unfold, this match offers clues rather than certainties. Racing’s fighting spirit and Zabiri’s finishing make them an increasingly interesting side, while Espanyol will need a response to avoid being pulled further into the lower reaches of the standings. Saturday’s match ultimately belonged to the hosts: a goalless first half, a brief Espanyol lead and a decisive finish combined to produce a comeback that could prove important for both clubs.
