Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-1 in their La Liga opening match as substitute Carlos Espi scored a 90th-minute winner on manager Jose Mourinho's return.
The victory gave Mourinho a winning start to his second spell in charge of Real Madrid. The Portuguese coach, known as "The Special One", returned to the Spanish capital to rebuild the team after Real Madrid went two consecutive seasons without winning a trophy.
Mourinho's last league match in charge of Real Madrid took place on June 1, 2013, when his side beat Osasuna 4-2 on the final day of the La Liga season, with Gonzalo Higuain and Michael Essien among the goalscorers. Ahead of his return, Real Madrid invested in major transfer signings, bringing in Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, and Yan Diomande.
The opening fixture of Mourinho's new era took Real Madrid to Barcelona to face Espanyol at their home stadium, rather than FC Barcelona at Camp Nou. Real Madrid took an early lead in the ninth minute when English midfielder Jude Bellingham headed home a cross from Arda Guler.
Espanyol responded by exposing defensive gaps in Real Madrid's backline. In the 26th minute, Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was called upon to make a save from Clemens Riedel, before Robert Fernandez sent a strike narrowly over the crossbar shortly afterwards.
The home side equalised in the 30th minute when Espanyol winger Alex Calatrava was left completely unmarked inside the penalty area. Calatrava received a pass inside the box and finished neatly past Courtois to level the match at 1-1 heading into the half-time break.
Dmitrovic thwarts Mbappe
Espanyol remained competitive wih Real Madrid largely due to a fine performance from Serbian goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. Dmitrovic saved three first-half attempts from Kylian Mbappe, most notably in the 33rd minute when he turned away a flat shot with his foot.
Real Madrid continued to struggle with clinical finishing after the restart. In the 51st minute, Dmitrovic denied Bellingham again by saving another header from the midfielder. Real Madrid came close to taking the lead in the 78th minute when Fede Valverde reacted to a loose ball 17 metres from goal and struck the post.
Espi scores debut winner
With Real Madrid's star names failing to convert their chances, the decisive goal arrived from an unexpected hero in the 90th minute. Mbappe created disruption inside the Espanyol penalty area, allowing 21-year-old forward Carlos Espi to seize the ball and score from close range.
Espi had joined Real Madrid from Levante in a surprising transfer worth 25 million euros. Scoring on his official competitive debut for the club, the young Spaniard secured the victory and ensured Mourinho marked his La Liga comeback with three points.
