Jose Mourinho’s second spell as Real Madrid coach began with a 2-1 La Liga victory at Espanyol on Saturday, after substitute Carlos Espi scored the winner in the 90th minute.
Jude Bellingham put Madrid ahead with a header, but Alex Calatrava equalised for Espanyol before Espi pounced on a loose ball to settle the opening fixture of the season.
Bellingham opens the scoring
Mourinho started Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Bellingham, while new signings Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate made their debuts. Bellingham played in an attacking midfield role with freedom to move forward and was influential before scoring.
The England international headed in Arda Guler’s dangerous crossed free kick. Espanyol responded with chances of their own, including Clemens Riedel’s drive that Thibaut Courtois saved and Roberto Fernandez’s effort over the bar.
Espanyol level before Madrid find a late answer
Espanyol equalised in the 30th minute when Calatrava finished Javi Hernandez’s cut-back at the end of a team move. Madrid then had opportunities to regain the lead, but Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic saved from Mbappe after the forward broke into the area.
Mourinho introduced Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella during the final 25 minutes as Madrid searched for a winner. Federico Valverde struck the outside of the post, but Espanyol continued to limit clear chances until Espi reacted first to a loose ball in the box and fired home in the 90th minute.
A demanding return for Mourinho
Mourinho returned to Real Madrid 13 years after leaving the club. He now faces the task of bringing the dressing room under control after last season and trying to end Barcelona’s domestic dominance, according to the source material.
Bellingham’s goal began Mourinho’s second era at Madrid. The midfielder had enjoyed an excellent first season after joining from Borussia Dortmund, but his next two seasons and the club’s campaigns were described as disappointing, with Madrid failing to win a major trophy in either year.
Other opening results
Sevilla won 3-1 at Athletic Bilbao, while Valencia and Celta Vigo drew 0-0 in the other results provided.
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