Carlos Espi scored in the 90th minute to give Real Madrid a dramatic 2-1 victory at Espanyol, ensuring Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge began with a win.
Mourinho was handed the reins again 13 years after his first tenure ended, following a turbulent and trophy-less 2025-26 season. His starting lineup included new signings Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva.
Madrid needed only 10 minutes to take the lead. Judge Bellingham rose to meet Arda Guler’s free kick from the left wing, producing a header with enough power to beat Marko Dmitrovic.
Espanyol responded well and Thibaut Courtois had to be alert to keep out a deflected drive from Clemens Riedel. But the Madrid goalkeeper was helpless when Alex Calatrava turned in Javier Hernandez’s low ball to level the match.
Kylian Mbappe twice went close to restoring Madrid’s lead before half time, only for the legs of Dmitrovic to deny him on both occasions.
Dmitrovic was back in action eight minutes after the interval, tipping another Bellingham header onto the crossbar. Mbappe could not get the right contact on the rebound. New signings Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande were introduced shortly after the hour mark, but Madrid still struggled to create clear chances until Federico Valverde clipped the outside of the post 12 minutes from time.
Just as the game appeared to be heading for a draw, a lesser-known new recruit decided it. Former Levante striker Espi, 21, reacted fastest after Espanyol failed to clear a darting run into the area from Mbappe. He controlled the ball and slammed home a finish from close range, leaving Dmitrovic with no chance and sending the Madrid dugout into raptures.
The result gives Real Madrid all three points from their opening LaLiga fixture, with Espi’s late intervention ensuring Mourinho’s second spell started in triumph.
