Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid: Cala 30; Bellingham 9, Espi 90
Jose Mourinho began his second spell in charge of Real Madrid with victory as Carlos Espi scored in the final minute to secure a 2-1 win at Espanyol.
Real looked set to drop points after Jude Bellingham’s early opener was cancelled out by Alex Calatrava, with Espanyol surviving sustained pressure for much of the second half. But Espi, introduced for Bellingham 10 minutes from time, pounded on a loose ball in the area and guided it into the net to settle a hard-fought opening La Liga game.
Mourinho, who returned to Madrid 13 years after leaving the club, had seen his side take control early at the RCDE Stadium. Bellingham opened the scoring in the ninth minute, rising above the Espanyol defence to head in Arda Guler’s excellently taken free-kick.
Kylian Mbappe was denied a second shortly afterwards when Clemens Riedel made a crucial tackle at the far post. Espanyol gradually recovered, however, and their response was rewarded after half an hour.
After a stoppage to treat a cut above Dean Huijsen’s left eye, Espanyol produced a neat move that ended with Calatrava converting Javi Hernandez’s cut-back to level the match.
Mbappe had opportunities to restore Real’s advantage before the interval, but Marko Dmitrovic twice kept him out. Espanyol then missed a major chance in stoppage time when Roberto Fernandez failed to make proper contact with a header despite having a clear sight of goal.
Real increased the pressure after the break. Dmitrovic produced another excellent save to deny Bellingham’s header from a Guler corner, while Mbappe headed the rebound narrowly wide. Ibrahima Konate also went close with a header that was directed straight at Dmitrovic, before Mbappe sent a free-kick over.
Yan Diomande was introduced in the 64th minute for his Real debut, replacing Guler, and Madrid continued to threaten. Mbappe and Denzel Dumfries saw efforts blocked and Federico Valverde struck the post with a powerful shot from outside the area.
Espanyol appeared to have weathered the pressure and secured a point, Mourinho staring absent-mindedly and perhaps picturing the morning’s headlines.
But Madrid found a winner in the final minute. Mbappe was crowded out inside the penalty area, but the loose ball fell for Espi to finish from close range.
