Real Madrid Beat Espanyol Late in Mourinho’s Return

Real Madrid opened Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge with a dramatic 2-1 La Liga victory at Espanyol, with substitute Carlos Espi scoring the winner in the 90th minute. Jude Bellingham gave Madrid an early lead in their opening fixture of the season, but Alex Calatrava brought Espanyol level before Espi settled an intense contest at the death.

The result gave Mourinho a winning start on his return to the club 13 years after his previous departure. Madrid had to work for the three points against an Espanyol side that stayed competitive throughout, and the late goal ensured Bellingham’s opener was not cancelled out by Calatrava’s equaliser.

Bellingham opens Mourinho’s second era

Mourinho selected Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Bellingham in his starting side, while Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate made their debuts. Bellingham operated in attacking midfield with licence to roam and was heavily involved as Madrid looked to establish control.

The England international scored the first goal of Mourinho’s second era at Real Madrid. Arda Guler delivered a dangerous crossed free-kick and Bellingham headed home to put the visitors ahead.

Espanyol responded with a warning midway through the first half. Thibaut Courtois beat away a drive from Clemens Riedel, before Roberto Fernandez hooked over shortly afterwards. Madrid did not fully take advantage of that escape, and Espanyol found their equaliser in the 30th minute.

Calatrava finished a fine team move by slotting home Javi Hernandez’s cut-back. The goal brought Espanyol back on level terms and changed the shape of the game, with Madrid facing a determined home side for the remainder of the contest.

Madrid continued to search for a breakthrough after the interval. Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic made a good save to deny Mbappe after the forward got in behind on the right of the area. Mbappe, described as La Liga’s top scorer in both of his two seasons at Madrid, was unable to find his most decisive finishing touch in this match.

Vinicius had limited impact on the left beyond winning a series of fouls, while Madrid sought another route to goal. Mourinho introduced two further new arrivals, record signing Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella, during the final 25 minutes as his side pushed for a winner.

Espi delivers the decisive late moment

Federico Valverde came close when his low strike from the edge of the box hit the outside of the post. Espanyol continued to defend deeply and deny Madrid clear openings, but the visitors finally made their pressure count in the 90th minute.

Espi, a former Levante striker and the lowest-profile member of Madrid’s summer purchases, capitalised on a loose ball in the box and fired home. His finish restored Madrid’s lead and secured a last-gasp victory in Mourinho’s first competitive match back at the helm.

Mourinho said Madrid deserved to win, while also acknowledging Espanyol’s efforts. “I think that we deserved to win but that Espanyol didn’t deserve to lose,” he said. He noted that Espanyol had been working together for a long time and said that was visible in their performance.

Calatrava said Espanyol had carried out their plan well before conceding the decisive goal. “That we conceded was a gut-punch, because we worked hard until the end,” he said.

For Madrid, the opening-day result delivers an immediate three points and a winning beginning to Mourinho’s new tenure. For Espanyol, the late defeat came after a performance that had put Madrid under sustained pressure and left the match level until the final minute.