José Mourinho Makes Winning Real Madrid Return as Carlos Espí Strikes Late Against Espanyol

José Mourinho Makes Winning Real Madrid Return as Carlos Espí Strikes Late Against Espanyol

Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in Matchweek 1 of the 2026/27 LaLiga season. The victory marked José Mourinho's first competitive fixture in charge of Los Blancos in 13 years, returning to the dugout for his first match since May 2013.

Bellingham Thrives in Advanced No. 10 Role

Mourinho set up his side by deploying Jude Bellingham in an advanced No. 10 role operating directly behind forwards Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr. The tactical approach bore immediate fruit inside the opening ten minutes when Real Madrid won a set piece in the attacking half. In the 9th minute, Arda Güler whipped in an accurate free-kick cross, allowing Bellingham to rise and direct a header into the net to make it 1-0.

Calatrava Counters Before Espí's 90th-Minute Heroics

Espanyol fought back tenaciously, absorbing pressure and looking for direct counter-attacking opportunities. In the 30th minute, Álex Calatrava spearheaded a swift counter-attack and fired home the equalizer to level the scoreline at 1-1 before half-time.

With the match locked level entering the closing stages, Mourinho turned to his substitutes. In the 90th minute, 21-year-old striker Carlos Espí, who was signed from Levante this summer, delivered a sensational finish on his Real Madrid debut to seal the 2-1 victory.

Carlos Espí came off the bench and scored a goal like Joselu Jr.— Jude Bellingham on Carlos Espí's debut winner

Match Overview and Key Details

Mourinho Praises Soul and Bench Impact

Speaking after his winning return to the Madrid dugout, Mourinho reflected on the emotional weight and difficulty of the contest at RCDE Stadium.

I think we deserved to win, but Espanyol didn't deserve to lose... But a team that plays like Espanyol, that defends like that and that comes out like that, on the counterattack... It will be hard for them to go home with nothing. But we deserved it.— José Mourinho on the Matchweek 1 victory

I value this victory so much because it was a victory with soul and also from the bench.— José Mourinho on the squad's determination

LaLiga Standings and Coverage

The 2-1 victory earns Real Madrid three points to open their LaLiga 2026/27 campaign, while Espanyol come away empty-handed despite a valiant performance in front of their home supporters at RCDE Stadium.

Image Credits: RCDE Stadium: Photo by Zarateman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons | Jude Bellingham: Photo by Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons | José Mourinho: Photo by Football.ua, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons