Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Espanyol to kick off their new La Liga season, with substitute forward Carlos Espi netting the decisive goal in the final moments of the match. This win marked a memorable return for Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, who has rejoined the club 13 years after his first tenure concluded.
The visitors made a strong start at the RCDE Stadium, taking the lead in the 9th minute when Jude Bellingham headed home a precise free-kick delivered by Arda Guler. Espanyol responded quickly to the pressure, leveling the score in the 30th minute through Alex Calatrava, who converted a cut-back from Javi Hernandez. Throughout the remainder of the first half, Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic remained busy, successfully thwarting several dangerous attempts from Kylian Mbappe.
As the second half progressed, Mourinho’s side intensified their offensive efforts. Real Madrid faced the prospect of dropping points as multiple attempts from Bellingham and Mbappe were denied, and a powerful strike from Federico Valverde rattled the woodwork. The deadlock was finally broken in the 90th minute by Carlos Espi, who had replaced Bellingham in the 80th minute. The young forward, who joined from Levante this summer, capitalized on a loose ball in the box to secure the win.
The match also featured several notable debuts and tactical adjustments. Ivorian winger Yann Diomande, signed for 120 million pounds, made his debut for the club in the 64th minute. Other new arrivals, including Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate, and Denzel Dumfries, also played significant roles in the contest. Despite facing a stern challenge, the late heroics from Espi ensured a successful start to Mourinho’s second stint at the helm.
