Jose Mourinho’s second reign at Real Madrid began on a winning note after substitute Carlo Espi scored a dramatic late goal to give it a 2-1 win over Espanyol in its first La Liga match of the season.
Mourinho was the manager of Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, and has returned to the helm this summer after spells at Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotpsur, Roma, Fenerbahce, and Benfica.
His second stint seemed set to be off to a smooth start when Jude Bellingham rose highest to head home an Arda Guler cross inside the first ten minutes.
However, Espanyol fought back and found an equaliser before the break when Javi Hernandez found space in the boz and squared the ball for Alex Calatrava to fire home.
Mourinho rang in the changes in pursuit of a winner — handing La Liga debuts to summer signings Marc Cucurella and Yann Diomande — but Real laboured in search of a decider. Federico Valverde struck the inside of the post, while Espanyol keeper Marko Dmitrovic produced a fine save to deny Bellingham.
With ten minutes to go, it was new signing Espi who made the difference, pouncing on a loose ball after Kylian Mbappe was dispossessed to ensure that Real went home with all three points.
