Headline: Real Madrid Secures Last-Minute Victory Against Espanyol in Mourinho’s Return
Real Madrid marked a triumphant start to Jose Mourinho’s second tenure as manager with a thrilling last-minute victory against Espanyol, ending 2-1. The match, held at Espanyol’s ground, featured a dramatic finish that delighted fans.
The visitors took the lead early on, with England midfielder Jude Bellingham scoring a header from Arda Guler’s free-kick just nine minutes into the match. However, Espanyol responded in the 30th minute, as summer signing Cala tapped in a cut-back from Javi Hernandez to level the score.
Throughout the game, Real Madrid dominated possession and came close to reclaiming the lead several times, hitting the woodwork twice. Bellingham saw one of his powerful headers tipped onto the bar by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, while Federico Valverde’s curling shot struck the base of the post.
Real Madrid made crucial substitutions, bringing on new faces including summer signings Carlos Espi, Marc Cucurella, and Yan Diomande, along with England international Trent Alexander-Arnold. The decisive moment came when Espi, who joined from Levante for £21 million, scored the winner after Diomande set up Kylian Mbappe in the box, allowing the Spanish forward to finish with composure.
Mourinho, who returned to Real Madrid on a three-year deal in July, expressed his satisfaction with the results after a frustrating first half. He started new signings Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate, and Bernardo Silva, aiming to restore the club’s fortunes after they failed to secure any trophies in the prior two seasons.
Mourinho’s initial tenure with Real Madrid spanned from 2010 to 2013, during which he led the team to a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, and a Spanish Super Cup. Over his career, the 63-year-old has amassed a remarkable 26 major trophies, including three Premier League titles with Chelsea and two Champions League titles with Porto and Inter Milan.
The match served as a strong foundation for Real Madrid’s season, signaling a promising return to form under Mourinho’s leadership.
Spanish La Liga
Espanyol 1 – 2 Real Madrid FT
Jose Mourinho won three trophies during his first spell at Real Madrid – La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup [Getty Images]
Jose Mourinho’s first competitive match of his second spell as Real Madrid manager ended with a thrilling 90th-minute winner from his side at Espanyol.
The visitors took the lead in the ninth minute when England midfielder Jude Bellingham headed in Arda Guler’s wide free-kick.
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But Espanyol levelled in the 30th minute through summer signing Cala, who tapped in Javi Hernandez’s cut-back at the far post.
Real dominated for much of the encounter and twice hit the woodwork before their dramatic late winner from debutant Carlos Espi.
Bellingham had another powerful header tipped on to the bar by Espanyol keeper Marko Dmitrovic, while Federico Valverde’s curling effort hit the base of the post.
But the Spanish giants brought on talent from the bench to change the outcome, including summer signings Espi, Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande – Real’s record signing from RB Leipzig in a deal worth up to £120m – and England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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Espi, who joined from Levante for £21m, struck after Diomande had found Kylian Mbappe in the box and the ball fell invitingly for the Spanish forward to calmly finish.
After being frustrated by his side’s inability to break down the hosts, the victory delighted Mourinho, who was named Real manager on a three-year deal in July, and started new signings Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konate and Bernardo Silva.
His previous spell began in 2010 and lasted three seasons, yielding a La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.
The 63-year-old Mourinho has won 26 major official trophies across his managerial career, including three Premier League titles with Chelsea and Champions League titles at both Porto and Inter Milan.
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Real have failed to win a trophy in their past two seasons and parted ways with Xabi Alonso in January, before Alvaro Arbeloa led them through to the end of the campaign in a temporary spell.
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