Espi Strikes Late as Real Madrid Edge Espanyol

Jude Bellingham gave Madrid an early advantage before Alex Calatrava equalised for Espanyol, setting up a tense second half in which the visitors were repeatedly frustrated before finding the decisive goal late on.

The match marked Mourinho’s first competitive league game since returning to Real Madrid 13 years after his previous spell at the club.

Madrid made the perfect start after only nine minutes.

Arda Guler delivered a precise free-kick into the area and Bellingham rose above the Espanyol defence to head beyond Marko Dmitrovic, scoring the first goal of Mourinho’s second spell in charge.

The visitors initially appeared in control, with Denzel Dumfries also forcing Dmitrovic into a sharp save after being released by Guler.

Espanyol gradually grew into the contest and began threatening Thibaut Courtois at the other end.

Their improvement was rewarded in the 30th minute.

Javi Hernandez found Calatrava making a well-timed run into the penalty area and the midfielder fired a left-footed finish past Courtois to make it 1-1.

Madrid attempted to respond immediately, with Kylian Mbappe testing Dmitrovic before Dumfries fired over from the resulting attack.

Espanyol then had a huge opportunity to take the lead shortly before half-time when Omar El Hilali produced an inviting cross into the area, but Roberto Fernandez failed to convert from close range.

The teams therefore went into the interval level at 1-1, with Espanyol having produced the better expected-goals figure during the opening half despite Madrid’s spells of control.

Madrid increased the pressure after the restart.

Bellingham came close to scoring his second from another Guler set piece in the 53rd minute, but Dmitrovic produced an excellent save to tip his header onto the crossbar.

Federico Valverde later went close as well, with his effort taking a slight deflection before clipping the outside of the post.

Mourinho responded by turning to his bench.

Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella were introduced for their Real Madrid debuts before Eduardo Camavinga, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Espi entered during the closing stages.

Bellingham was forced off after appearing to suffer an ankle problem, with Espi replacing him in the 80th minute as Mourinho searched for a winner.

That decision proved decisive.

With the game entering the 90th minute, Mbappe burst into the Espanyol penalty area. The ball eventually broke towards Espi, who shifted it onto his right foot, rounded the goalkeeper and finished into the unguarded net.

It was Espi’s first goal for Real Madrid and came just 10 minutes after being introduced.

Espanyol had little time to respond as Madrid protected their advantage through stoppage time to secure all three points.

The visitors finished the match with 2.92 expected goals compared to Espanyol’s 1.12, underlining the chances Mourinho’s team eventually created despite being pushed hard by the hosts.

The victory gives Mourinho a winning start to his second spell in Madrid and gets Los Blancos off the mark in a season in which they are attempting to reclaim the Spanish title after consecutive runners-up finishes.

Real Madrid will next face Real Sociedad as they continue catching up on fixtures following the split opening weekend.