Espanyol Real Madrid: Espí rescues Mourinho's return

Carlos Espí's 90th-minute finish rescued José Mourinho's return to Real Madrid, sealing a 2-1 victory over Espanyol at RCDE Stadium. The late strike spared the visitors from dropping points in their first league match of the season.

Carlos Espí decides Mourinho's return

Espí struck at the last in the 90th minute to settle a contest Espanyol had kept level for an hour after the break. Mourinho had given the 21-year-old forward an opportunity late on, and the summer arrival from Levante delivered the decisive goal in his first official match of the manager's second spell, 13 years after his first ended.

Espí had already made an impression in pre-season, scoring twice across four matches. His winner gave Mourinho an immediate three points in a return to the club he led from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

Jude Bellingham fires Real Madrid ahead

Real had made the sharper start. Arda Güler's set-piece delivery found Jude Bellingham, whose ninth-minute header put the visitors in front and made him the first Real scorer of Mourinho's new era.

Espanyol answered in the 30th minute through Álex Calatrava, restoring parity before half-time. The hosts had opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Levante and again showed they could make life difficult, holding the score at 1-1 deep into the second half.

Espanyol resist Real Madrid's control

Real Madrid controlled 65% possession and completed 229 passes to Espanyol's 112, but their edge was narrow in total attempts, 6-5. They created the clearer openings, however, placing five shots on target to Espanyol's two.

Espanyol's seven fouls, compared with Real's one, reflected the physical resistance that nearly earned a point. Both teams received one yellow card, before Espí's late intervention changed the outcome.

Real Madrid are listed fifth on three points, while Espanyol remain third on three points after their first defeat of the campaign.

Match Information

• Competition: La Liga, Regular Season - 2

• Date & Time: Saturday 22 August 2026, 21:30 CET

• Venue: RCDE Stadium, Cornella

• Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez, Spain