Melendo, Espanyol product who stopped Barca’s unbeaten run

Oscar Melendo scored the only goal in Espanyol’s game vs Barcelona on January 17. The 88th minute goal led to Espanyol beating their local rivals in the first leg of the Spanish Cup quarter finals, and dashed Barcelona’s hopes of keeping an unbeaten season.

Melendo, 20, is an Espanyol academy product. He joined the club at the age of six and he was promoted through the club youth rankings until he joined the first team last season.

Melendo’s goal led his team’s first victory over Barcelona in an official game since 2009, when they defeated Barcelona 2-1 at Nou Camp and their first victory against them at home since 2007.
Melendo is the first Espanyol player to score against Barcelona at home since Alvaro Vazquez’s late goal in 2012 1-1 draw.

Espanyol manager, Quique Sanches Flores, was happy for Melendo after the memorable victory; saying, "that a boy that has been here since the kids' team, Melendo scoring the winner is great."

Melendo has to face Barcelona at Nou Camp again on Thursday January 25 in the second leg and he hopes to lead his team to return from their rivals’ stadium with a ticket to the semi finals.