Real Madrid Edges Past Espanyol 2-1 in Match Review

Real Madrid almost began their 2026-27 La Liga season on a disappointing note, but a late goal clinched victory against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. Jose Mourinho aimed to kick off his second tenure as manager with a win, and despite a challenging match, he achieved that goal.

Mourinho fielded a robust starting lineup, featuring Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom had just returned from the 2026 World Cup. New signings Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, and Bernardo Silva made their debuts, while added summer recruits Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande, and Carlos Espi began the match on the bench.

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Real Madrid began strongly in Catalonia, earning an early reward with the opening goal in the ninth minute. A free-kick from Arda Guler was met by Bellingham, whose header beat Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, providing Los Blancos and Mourinho the lead they sought.

Dumfries nearly doubled Real Madrid’s advantage shortly after, but the match took a turn at the half-hour mark. Espanyol executed an effective attack culminating in Javi Hernandez setting up Alex Calatrava, who found the bottom corner of Thibaut Courtois’ net after being given too much room inside the box.

Mourinho’s message resonated as his team returned for the second half, where they nearly regained the lead eight minutes after the break. Once again, Guler and Bellingham linked up from a set-piece, but Dmitrovic made a crucial save against Bellingham’s header, and Mbappe failed to convert the rebound.

In search of a second goal, Mourinho utilized his substitutes after the hour mark, introducing Diomande and Espi among others. Just as it appeared Real Madrid might settle for a draw, Espi emerged as the hero by collecting the ball in the penalty area, evading Dmitrovic, and scoring what would become the winning goal.

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Mourinho’s push for a traditional number nine led to the signing of Espi from Levante, a decision that already appears to be paying off, as the debutant’s late strike ensured a strong start to the season for Real Madrid. The team will next face Real Sociedad on Wednesday.

Real Madrid almost started their 2026-27 La Liga season in a disappointing fashion, but a late goal saw them secure victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. Jose Mourinho would have hoped to start his second spell as manager with three points, and while it was far from straightforward, his wish would come true.

Mourinho’s first starting line-up was strong, with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe included despite only recently returning to the club after their involvement at the 2026 World Cup. There were also debuts for Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva, while fellow summer signings Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande and Carlos Espi were on the bench.

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Real Madrid made a positive start in Catalonia, and their reward was the opening goal on nine minutes. Arda Guler’s free-kick from the left was met by Bellingham, whose downward header could not be stopped by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, thus giving Los Blancos and Mourinho the start they were hoping for.

Dumfries had a chance to double Real Madrid’s lead soon after, but on the half hour mark, Mourinho’s side were pegged back. A good move from Espanyol ended with Javi Hernandez cutting the ball back to Alex Calatrava, who found the bottom corner of Thibaut Courtois’ goal after being left in a lot of space inside the penalty area.

Mourinho’s words would have been ringing in the Real Madrid players’ ears when they came out for the second half, and eight minutes after the interval, they very nearly re-took the lead. Once again, it was Guler and Bellingham that combined from a set-piece, with the latter’s header well-saved by Dmitrovic before Mbappe made a meal of the follow-up.

In search of a second goal, Mourinho turned to his bench after the hour mark, with Diomande and Espi among those to be introduced. It had looked like Real Madrid would need to settle for a point, but the latter would come up with the decisive moment when he collected the ball inside the penalty area, took it away from Dmitrovic before firing into the back of the net – and that turned out to be enough for the victory.

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Earlier in the summer, it was reported that Mourinho had campaigned for a traditional number nine signing, and that’s why Espi was signed from Levante. Already, that decision is paying dividends, and the debutant’s late goal ensured a good start to the season for Real Madrid, who are back in action on Wednesday against Real Sociedad.