Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Espanyol in a match that marked the beginning of José Mourinho’s second tenure as coach. The win came in the 90th minute thanks to a dramatic goal from young forward Carlos Espí, who scored the decisive strike to give the reigning champions a crucial three points in their new era under the Portuguese tactician. The match took place at Espanyol's home ground, and started with Real Madrid showing immediate intent. In the ninth minute, Arda Güler delivered a precise cross from a free-kick, which was met by Jude Bellingham, who headed the ball into the net to give Real the lead. The visitors continued to dominate possession throughout much of the first half, though they struggled to convert their chances into goals. Espanyol, however, gradually grew into the game and created several opportunities of their own. In the 30th minute, Espanyol equalized through Álex Calatrava, who capitalized on a defensive error from Real Madrid. The score remained tied at 1-1 heading into halftime, with both teams having had their share of chances. Real Madrid, despite their dominance in terms of possession, found themselves under pressure as Espanyol began to test their defense more frequently. The second half saw Real Madrid regain control, but they were unable to capitalize effectively on their superior position. Federico Valverde came close to scoring in the 78th minute, but his shot was saved by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović. Despite these missed opportunities, Real Madrid maintained their composure and kept the game tight until the final moments. With the score still at 1-1, Mourinho made a tactical switch in the closing stages, bringing on Carlos Espí in a bid to break the deadlock. The decision paid off in spectacular fashion. In the 90th minute, Espí received the ball just outside the penalty area, evaded the defender, and fired a low shot past Dmitrović to secure the win for Real Madrid. The goal, which came after a series of stoppage-time chances, was a fitting way for the club to kick off its new season under Mourinho. Carlos Espí, who joined Real Madrid this summer from Levante, has already shown promise during pre-season matches. He scored two goals in four friendly games before the campaign began, and Mourinho had expressed interest in him as a physical alternative up front. His performance against Espanyol confirmed his potential to make an impact in the team’s attacking line. This victory marks the start of Mourinho’s second spell at Real Madrid, following his departure in 2013. During his first stint, he led the club to multiple titles, including La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España. This time around, Mourinho faces the challenge of rebuilding the squad and restoring the winning culture that defined his earlier years at the club. Real Madrid will next face Real Sociedad in a home fixture, marking their official return to competitive action after the postponed opening match. The result against Espanyol sets a positive tone for the new era, with the team looking to build on this momentum as the season progresses.
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