Espí's 90th-minute winner rescues Mourinho's Real Madrid return at Espanyol

José Mourinho’s return to the Real Madrid dugout — his first since a 4-2 win over Osasuna in May 2013, a gap of 4,380 days — nearly ended in embarrassment at Espanyol on Sunday before substitute Carlos Espí forced home a loose ball in the box in the 90th minute to seal a 2-1 La Liga opening-day win.

Jude Bellingham had given Madrid the lead after nine minutes, heading in from an Arda Güler free kick after Vinícius Júnior was fouled by Álex Calatrava. Espanyol levelled before the break when Calatrava, the same player who had conceded the free kick, finished off a slick move involving Tyrhys Dolan and Javi Hernández to make it 1-1 — Thibaut Courtois having earlier kept out Clemens Riedel.

Kylian Mbappé twice forced saves from Marko Dimitrovic either side of half-time, and Fede Valverde struck the post as Madrid pressed for a winner without finding one through normal means. Manolo González’s side held firm until Espí, a former Levante striker introduced from the bench, pounced on a loose ball to end the resistance.

Mourinho also brought on record signing Yan Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Eduardo Camavinga and Trent Alexander-Arnold during the second half, underlining the depth at his disposal as he attempts to fit Mbappé, Vinícius and Bellingham into the same attack.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho acknowledged that while his side deserved to win, Espanyol did not deserve to lose — a notable concession from a coach who otherwise struck a demanding tone. He framed commitment as non-negotiable for his squad and pushed back on suggestions that his three attacking stars were incompatible, arguing that Bellingham’s best position was close to goal rather than deeper in midfield, and pointing to international setups that had successfully accommodated all three.

Real Madrid’s next fixture is a home La Liga game against Real Sociedad, while Espanyol face the same opponents shortly after — both sides carrying contrasting emotions from an opening weekend that ultimately swung Mourinho’s way at the death.