Carlos Espi's last-minute goal seals Real Madrid 2-1 win in Mourinho's return
Synopsis
Jose Mourinho's second reign at Real Madrid got off to a winning — if nervy — start, with summer signing Carlos Espi rescuing a 2-1 victory at Espanyol in the La Liga opener. The late goal papered over a display that showed both Madrid's attacking depth and their vulnerability against organised defences.
Key Takeaways
Carlos Espi , signed from Levante , scored a last-minute winner to give Real Madrid a 2-1 victory at Espanyol on 23 August .
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in the 9th minute from an Arda Guler cross before Alex Calatrava levelled for Espanyol on 30 minutes .
The result marks a winning start for Jose Mourinho in his second stint as Real Madrid manager.
Sevilla beat Athletic Club 3-1 away after a Yuri Berchiche red card in the 11th minute .
Valencia and Celta Vigo drew 0-0 at the Mestalla , with home fans protesting against owner Peter Lim .
New signing Carlos Espi scored a last-minute winner to hand Real Madrid a 2-1 victory away to Espanyol on Saturday, 23 August, giving Jose Mourinho a winning start to his second stint as manager of the Spanish giants. The dramatic finish capped a hard-fought opening fixture of the La Liga season.
How the Goals Fell
Jude Bellingham gave Real Madrid an early lead in the ninth minute, converting from a cross by Arda Guler. Espanyol, however, refused to be overrun and levelled matters on the 30th minute through Alex Calatrava, rewarding a disciplined and physical display from the hosts.
Before the break, Kylian Mbappe was denied by a sharp save from Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. Real Madrid pressed relentlessly in the second half but looked set to be held until Espi — who joined the club from Levante in the summer — capitalised on a moment of defensive confusion created by Mbappe to fire home the winner.
Mourinho's Assessment
Speaking after the final whistle, Jose Mourinho acknowledged the difficulty of the contest. 'I think we deserved to win, but Espanyol didn't deserve to lose,' he said. 'In the second half, we maintained great control and applied a lot of pressure, we took a lot of risks. We deserved to win. But a team that plays like Espanyol, that defends like that and counter-attacks like that, with players pushing themselves to the limit and good organization, it'll be tough for them to go home empty-handed. But we deserved it.'
Other La Liga Results on the Day
Sevilla made the most of an early red card to Athletic Club defender Yuri Berchiche — shown after just 11 minutes — to win 3-1 away at the Basque club. Oso opened the scoring as early as the third minute, capitalising on an error by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. Chidera Ejuke and Isaac Romero added goals in the second half to seal the win, with home defender Aitor Paredes netting a late consolation.
Meanwhile, Valencia and Celta Vigo played out a goalless draw at the Mestalla Stadium, a match marked by renewed protests from home supporters directed at club owner Peter Lim and several players.
What's Next
FC Barcelona opens its league campaign away to Elche on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid hosts Villarreal. For Real Madrid, Mourinho's second chapter has begun with three points — but Saturday's match served notice that La Liga's promoted and mid-table sides will not yield easily this season.
Point of View
But Mourinho will know this was far from convincing. Espanyol's ability to level and then threaten to hold on for a point underlines a familiar tension in his teams: defensive solidity traded for attacking fluency. The more revealing question is whether Mbappe and Bellingham can coexist as the primary creative outlets, or whether one ends up subordinated to the other. Saturday offered no clear answer. Mourinho's second spell will be judged on trophies, not openers — but the pattern of a nervy, late rescue is one he will not want to repeat.
NationPress
23 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the winning goal for Real Madrid against Espanyol?
New signing Carlos Espi, who joined Real Madrid from Levante in the summer, scored a last-minute goal to secure a 2-1 win for Real Madrid away to Espanyol on 23 August.
What is Jose Mourinho's connection to Real Madrid?
Jose Mourinho is serving his second spell as Real Madrid manager. His first tenure at the club ran from 2010 to 2013, during which he won one La Liga title. His return marks a high-profile reappointment at one of world football's biggest clubs.
How did Espanyol respond after going behind early?
Espanyol levelled through Alex Calatrava in the 30th minute after Jude Bellingham had put Real Madrid ahead in the ninth minute. The home side defended resolutely and nearly held on for a point before Espi's late winner.
What were the other notable La Liga results on 23 August?
Sevilla beat Athletic Club 3-1 away after Yuri Berchiche was sent off in the 11th minute, with goals from Oso, Chidera Ejuke, and Isaac Romero. Valencia and Celta Vigo drew 0-0 at the Mestalla amid fan protests against Valencia owner Peter Lim.
When do Barcelona and Atletico Madrid begin their La Liga campaigns?
FC Barcelona opens its league season away to Elche on Sunday, 24 August, while Atletico Madrid hosts Villarreal on the same day.
