Carlos Espi scores late winner in Mourinho's Real Madrid return
6 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 22, 2026, 10:26 PM
Last updated Aug 22, 2026
Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on August 22, marking José Mourinho's first game back as head coach. Jude Bellingham scored first for Madrid with an early header, but Alex Calatrava equalized for Espanyol before Carlos Espi netted the decisive goal in the 90th minute. The win comes as Mourinho seeks to revive the team's fortunes after a tumultuous previous season. Real Madrid now prepares for their next match as they attempt to build momentum.
- •Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for Madrid in the first half.
- •Alex Calatrava equalized for Espanyol before the match concluded.
- •Carlos Espi scored the winning goal in the 90th minute.
- •Mourinho returned to Madrid after 13 years away.
- 11:03 PMESPN — Madrid strike late to give Mourinho winning return
- 10:16 PMYahoo Sports — Real Madrid snatch late win at Espanyol on Mourinho's return
- 9:48 PMYahoo Sports — Late Carlos Espi winner earns Mourinho victorious Real Madrid return
- 9:47 PMYahoo Sports — Debutant Espi gives Mourinho winning Real Madrid return
- 9:39 PMYahoo Sports — Real Madrid beat Espanyol in Mourinho's first game on return
"Madrid (PA Media/dpa) -vSubstitute Carlos Espi’s last-minute winner ensured Jose Mourinho made a winning start in his first game back as Real Madrid boss as his side clinched a 2-1 win at Espanyol in their opening LaLiga match. Jude Bellingham’s early header at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday gave Mourinho a dream start, but Alex Calatrava fired a first-half equalizer and Real appeared set to be denied before Espi’s late close-range finish.
"Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, with substitute Carlos Espi pouncing in the 90th minute to grab the winner.However in the 90th minute Madrid found the goal they needed when former Levante striker Espi, the lowest profile of Los Blancos' summer purchases, capitalised on a loose ball in the box and fired home.
"Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, with substitute Carlos Espi pouncing in the 90th minute to grab the winner.However in the 90th minute Madrid found the goal they needed when former Levante striker Espi, the lowest profile of Los Blancos' summer purchases, capitalised on a loose ball in the box and fired home.
Sources
External links- ESPNAug 22, 2026, 11:03 PMMadrid strike late to give Mourinho winning return
José Mourinho's second spell in charge of Real Madrid just about got off to a winning start, thanks to new signing Carlos Espí's 90th-minute goal to claim a 2-1 victory at Espanyol.
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 10:16 PMReal Madrid snatch late win at Espanyol on Mourinho's return
Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, with substitute Carlos Espi pouncing in the 90th minute to grab the winner.However in the 90th minute Madrid found the goal they needed when former Levante striker Espi, the lowest profile of Los Blancos' summer purchases, capitalised on a loose ball in the box and fired home.
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 9:48 PMLate Carlos Espi winner earns Mourinho victorious Real Madrid return
Madrid (PA Media/dpa) -vSubstitute Carlos Espi’s last-minute winner ensured Jose Mourinho made a winning start in his first game back as Real Madrid boss as his side clinched a 2-1 win at Espanyol in their opening LaLiga match. Jude Bellingham’s early header at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday gave Mourinho a dream start, but Alex Calatrava fired a first-half equalizer and Real appeared set to be denied before Espi’s late close-range finish.
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 9:47 PMDebutant Espi gives Mourinho winning Real Madrid return
New signing Carlos Espi scores a late winner as Jose Mourinho begins his Real Madrid return with a win at Espanyol.
- Yahoo SportsAug 22, 2026, 9:39 PMReal Madrid beat Espanyol in Mourinho's first game on return
Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, with substitute Carlos Espi pouncing in the 90th minute to grab the winner.However in the 90th minute Madrid found the goal they needed when former Levante striker Espi, the lowest profile of Los Blancos' summer purchases, capitalised on a loose ball in the box and fired home.
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