Carlos Espí scores 90th-minute winner on Real Madrid debut

Carlos Espí scored a 90th-minute winner on his Real Madrid debut as José Mourinho’s second spell in charge began with a dramatic 2-1 victory away to Espanyol.

Madrid took an early lead at the RCDE Stadium when Jude Bellingham met Arda Güler’s delivery with a header in the ninth minute, giving Mourinho’s side the ideal start to their La Liga campaign.

Espanyol responded with increasing confidence and drew level in the 30th minute through Álex Calatrava, leaving Madrid facing a far more difficult contest than the opening stages had suggested.

The visitors struggled to regain the same control after the equaliser. Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior were unable to turn Madrid’s possession into a decisive breakthrough, while Espanyol remained competitive deep into the second half.

Mourinho responded by turning to his bench, introducing several attacking options as Madrid pushed for a winner.

Espí, signed from Levante during the summer, was among those introduced and needed only 10 minutes to make his first major contribution in a Madrid shirt.

With the game entering the 90th minute, the 20-year-old reacted to a loose ball inside the penalty area and finished to restore Madrid’s lead, transforming what had looked set to be a frustrating opening-night draw into three points.

The late goal ensured Mourinho began his return to Madrid with a victory, although the performance also underlined how much work remains as a heavily refreshed squad adapts to his demands.

For Espí, however, the night could hardly have delivered a more immediate introduction: a debut, a decisive goal and a first victory of the new league campaign.