Espi's 90th-minute strike hands Mourinho a winning start at Real Madrid
Espi came off the bench and netted in the 90th minute to secure a 1:2 win for Real Madrid in their season opener.
22.08.2026 23:36 — A late substitute turned the game in Real Madrid's favour as Espi struck in the 90th minute to give Jose Mourinho a winning start in his return to the club's bench. The match ended 1:2 in La Liga's second round, which doubled as Real's opening fixture of the new season.
Espi's dramatic finish and Mourinho's reaction
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for Real already in the 9th minute, but Espanyol levelled through a Calatrava strike on 30 minutes. For most of the evening the score stayed even until Espi — introduced around ten minutes earlier for Bellingham — found space in front of goal and "shot" home the decisive goal that sealed victory for Real Madrid.
The visitors did not produce a commanding performance despite fielding their strongest lineup on paper, yet the result is what counts: a 1:2 win and three points for Mourinho's side as he embarks on what the club and press are calling his second spell in charge of the world's biggest club.
Mourinho celebrated the late winner in classic fashion on the touchline, visibly relieved and animated after the final whistle. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Real travelling support and delivered an important morale boost as the season opens.
Earlier in the day there was a note from other fixtures: Mladenovski "rocked" Dinamo at "Maksimir", although the big club ultimately claimed a convincing triumph.
Photo: x.com/realmadriden
Photo: press material from the event
