Carlos Espí Seals Dramatic Real Madrid Win on Mourinho Return

Real Madrid began José Mourinho's second spell as coach with a 2-1 victory at Espanyol, secured by Carlos Espí's 90th-minute winner. The Guardian reported that the late goal settled Mourinho's first match in charge of Madrid for 4,380 days, following his return to the club he last managed in May 2013.

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Jude Bellingham gave Madrid the lead after nine minutes at the RCDE Stadium. Vinícius Júnior was fouled on the left, and Arda Güler delivered the resulting set piece for Bellingham to head beyond goalkeeper Marko Dimitrovic. Mourinho used the England midfielder as a No. 10 behind an attack featuring Vinícius and Kylian Mbappé.

Espanyol responded after Madrid's early pressure began to ease. Thibaut Courtois saved an attempt from Riedel before Roberto Fernández sent the follow-up over, but the home side soon equalized. Tyrhys Dolan and Javi Hernández combined to create the opening for Alex Calatrava, who converted to bring Espanyol level.

The hosts also had opportunities to move in front before halftime. Omar El Hilali crossed from the right, Dolan narrowly failed to make contact inside the six-yard area, and Fernández could not turn the chance into a goal. At the other end, Mbappé twice broke through and forced saves from Dimitrovic.

Madrid continued to create chances after the interval without immediately regaining the lead. Bellingham headed Güler's corner against the crossbar, with Dimitrovic getting a hand to the effort, but Mbappé put the rebound wide from close range. Captain Fede Valverde later struck the post, while Mbappé sent another attempt off target as Espanyol resisted.

Mourinho turned to his substitutes before Espí, a 21-year-old signed from Levante, delivered the decisive goal in the final minute of regulation. The result gave Madrid all three points, though the performance remained closely contested. Afterward, Mourinho said Madrid merited the victory while also acknowledging that Espanyol had not deserved to lose, an assessment consistent with the chances created by both teams.