Carlos Espí 90' Strike Secures 2-1 Real Madrid Win in Mourinho Return

New signing Carlos Espí scored in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid against Espanyol in José Mourinho's first game back.

Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-1 at the RCDE Stadium behind a 90th-minute winning goal from Carlos Espí. The 21-year-old substitute, who entered the match in the 80th minute, fired past goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic after Kylian Mbappé was knocked off the ball. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for the visitors in the 9th minute with a header, converting a free kick delivered by Arda Güler. Espanyol equalized on the 30-minute mark through a goal from Cala, keeping the score level until the final minute of regulation time.

José Mourinho’s second tenure in charge of the club began with three debutantes in the starting lineup: Marc Cucurella, Denzel Dumfries, and Bernardo Silva. This marked the first time the team started three new signings in a LaLiga opener since 2009, when Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, and Karim Benzema debuted. The victory represents Mourinho's first match leading the side in 13 years following his reappointment this summer. The Portuguese coach noted that while his team deserved the win due to second-half pressure and control, the hosts did not necessarily deserve to lose.

Carlos Espí Impact and Stats

The Carlos Espí goal at the 90-minute mark was his first for Real Madrid since joining from Levante for a reported fee of €25 million ($28 million). Since February 27, the forward has scored 11 LaLiga goals, which is the highest total of any player in the league during that timeframe. Mourinho praised the young attacker's work rate, stating that despite living a dream, the player works extensively for the collective team. The manager emphasized that the late strike decided the outcome after a period where Madrid risked a lot to find a breakthrough.

Bellingham and Diomande Performance

Jude Bellingham’s 9th-minute header came in his first start and second appearance since England’s third-place finish at the World Cup five weeks ago. Mourinho expressed that he had initial doubts about starting the midfielder but cited his mental and physical strength as the deciding factors. The coach specified that Bellingham’s ideal position is close to the forwards to maintain his goal-scoring connection, rather than playing in a deeper 6 or 8 role. Bellingham completed the full 90 minutes of the contest.

In the 64th minute, Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande made his debut as a second-half replacement for Arda Güler. Diomande arrived from RB Leipzig this summer as the club's most expensive acquisition, commanding an initial fee of €125 million ($146 million). His introduction provided fresh energy as Madrid sought to break the 1-1 deadlock established by Cala's first-half equalizer.

Tactical Control and Upcoming Schedule

Madrid maintained pressure throughout the second half to overcome the frustration of the 30th-minute leveler. Mourinho highlighted the team's ability to control the game and take risks in the final stages. The win places Madrid on three points to start the LaLiga season before they return to the Bernabéu. The club is scheduled to host Real Sociedad on Wednesday for their first home fixture of the new campaign. This opening victory concludes a streak of away matches following the summer break and the recent World Cup tournament.