Real Madrid Make Winning Start Under Mourinho as Espi Scores Late Decisive Goal

Dragon Media News Desk

Real Madrid began the new Spanish La Liga season with a victory as Jose Mourinho started his second spell in charge with a dramatic 2-1 win away to Espanyol on Saturday.

At the RCDE Stadium, Jude Bellingham gave Real Madrid the lead in the ninth minute, heading home from a wide free-kick delivered by Arda Guler.

Espanyol responded in the 30th minute when Alex Calatrava converted a pass from Javi Hernandez inside the penalty area to level the match at 1-1.

Real Madrid controlled much of the game after the equalizer and continued to push for a second goal, but Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic produced several important saves. Federico Valverde also struck the post during the second half as the visitors struggled to turn their pressure into a decisive advantage.

With the match still level, Mourinho turned to his bench to increase Madrid’s attacking threat. Marc Cucurella and Yan Diomande entered in the 64th minute, while Carlos Espi, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Eduardo Camavinga were introduced in the 80th minute.

Ten minutes later, Espi scored the winner. After Kylian Mbappe lost control of the ball near the penalty area, the loose ball fell to the 21-year-old Spanish forward, who drove a powerful effort into the net to secure a 2-1 victory.

Espi, who joined Real Madrid from Levante this season, was making his La Liga debut for the club. He needed only around 10 minutes on the pitch to score the decisive goal. Real Madrid have signed him on a contract running until 2031.

Mourinho also included new signings Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva in the starting lineup. The introduction of Cucurella, Diomande and Espi in the second half further underlined the influence of Madrid’s new arrivals.

After the match, Mourinho praised his side’s patience and determination, as well as the impact of the substitutes. He said the team’s willingness to continue pushing for victory until the final stages was an encouraging sign.

Mourinho returned to Real Madrid in August on a three-year contract. His first spell at the club lasted from 2010 to 2013, during which he guided the team to La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup titles.

After falling short of the domestic league title in the previous two seasons, Real Madrid are aiming to challenge Barcelona’s dominance under Mourinho. The difficult three points secured against Espanyol provided a positive start to his second tenure at the club.