Jose Mourinho began his second spell in charge of Real Madrid with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol, as a late winner spared the visitors from dropping points in a tense opening game.

Real Madrid made a fast start and took the lead when Jude Bellingham produced a precise finish following a set-piece delivery from Arda Guler. The early advantage appeared to put Mourinho's side in control, but Espanyol responded before long.

The Catalan side levelled through Calatrava, who capitalised on a lapse in concentration from the Madrid defence to bring the hosts back into the contest.

Real Madrid dominated the search for a second goal but repeatedly found Marko Dmitrovic in their way. The Espanyol goalkeeper produced several important saves, while Bellingham came agonisingly close to restoring Madrid's lead when his powerful strike rattled the crossbar.

With the game heading towards a frustrating draw, the decisive moment arrived in the 90th minute. Substitute Carlos Espi reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the Espanyol penalty area and calmly finished to send Real Madrid in front.

It was a dramatic ending to Mourinho's return to the Madrid dugout. The performance was far from perfect, but the Portuguese manager will take plenty of encouragement from a hard-fought victory — and an early reminder that his new Real Madrid side have the character to win games right to the final whistle.

2026-27, Spain - La Liga

Espanyol - Real 1:2 (1:1)
Goals: Bellingham, 9 (0:1); Calatrava, 30 (1:1); Espi, 90 (1:2)

Espanyol: Dmitrović; Gonzalez U. (Lozano P., 75); Riedel C. (Drkušić, 66); Núñez U.; Hinojo; El Hilali; Edu Expósito (Carreras, 88); Dolan; Calatrava (Bauzà, 66); Hernandez J. (Milla P., 75); Fernández Rob.
Substitution: Drkušić (from 66); Bauzà (from 66); Lozano P. (from 75); Milla P. (from 75); Carreras (from 88)
Bench: Fortuño; Serred; Hartman Q.; Moscardo; Fernandez Mar.
Yellow Cards: Calatrava 32; Riedel C. 59; Edu Expósito 84

Real: Courtois; Huijsen; Konate; Carreras (Cucurella, 64); Dumfries (Alexander-Arnold, 80); Güler A. (Diomande Y., 65); Bernardo Silva (Camavinga, 80); Bellingham (Espi, 80); Valverde F.; Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé
Substitution: Cucurella (from 64); Diomande Y. (from 65); Alexander-Arnold (from 80); Camavinga (from 80); Espi (from 80)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Rudiger; Diaz Br.; Cestero
Yellow Cards: Vinícius Júnior 32