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Mourinho’s Real Madrid return: late Espi goal beats Espanyol 2-1
Confirmed
What we know
José Mourinho’s second spell as Real Madrid coach began with a last-gasp 2-1 La Liga win at Espanyol on Saturday. Jude Bellingham headed Madrid ahead early; Álex Calatrava equalized; substitute Carlos Espi scored in the 90th minute for the winner.
Mourinho returned 13 years after leaving Los Blancos. He started Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior and Bellingham and handed debuts to Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konaté, with further summer arrivals used off the bench.
What's confirmed
- Final: Espanyol 1–2 Real Madrid, La Liga Matchday 1, Saturday Aug. 22 (Al Jazeera/AFP circuit; Reuters via CNA; ESPN with AP contribution).
- Goals: Bellingham (header from Arda Güler free-kick delivery, 9'); Calatrava (30'); Espi (90').
- Espi, a summer signing from Levante, entered late and finished after Mbappé was dispossessed in the box (Reuters/ESPN).
- Mourinho told reporters Madrid deserved the win and praised bench hunger; he said Espanyol did not deserve to lose (Reuters).
What's still developing
- How quickly Mbappé and Vinicius regain sharpness after late World Cup returns, flagged as off the pace in Saturday coverage.
- Madrid’s next fixture: home vs Real Sociedad midweek (ESPN); Barcelona open at Elche Sunday without new signing Rodri, per Al Jazeera notes.