Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Espi's Late Goal Gives Mourinho's Real Madrid Victory
Real Madrid played Espanyol in their first LaLiga game of the season.
Jude Bellingham scored an early goal for Madrid.
Alex Calatrava then scored for Espanyol, making the game 1-1.
Espanyol defended well for much of the match.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho brought on several substitutes to try to change the game.
Carlo Espi, also called Carlos Espi, came on near the end.
He scored in the 90th minute after Madrid recovered a loose ball.
Real Madrid won and began Mourinho's return with three points.
Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-1 in their LaLiga opening match.
Jude Bellingham headed Real Madrid ahead in the ninth minute from Arda Guler's cross.
Alex Calatrava equalised for Espanyol in the 30th minute after Javi Hernandez's cut-back.
Substitute Carlo Espi, also identified as Carlos Espi, scored the winner in the 90th minute.
Jose Mourinho said Real Madrid deserved to win while praising Espanyol's performance and his substitutes' impact.
- Who
- Real Madrid, coached by Jose Mourinho, played Espanyol; Jude Bellingham, Alex Calatrava and Carlo Espi scored.
- What
- Real Madrid won 2-1, with Espi scoring a late winner.
- When
- Saturday; Bellingham scored in the ninth minute, Calatrava in the 30th, and Espi in the 90th.
- Where
- Espanyol's home ground in Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain.
- Why
- Real Madrid sought a strong start under Mourinho and aims to challenge Barcelona's domestic dominance.
Real Madrid's View
Espanyol's View
Assessment of the result
Real Madrid's View
Mourinho said Real Madrid deserved to win and praised the team's resilience, hunger and contribution from substitutes.
Espanyol's View
Mourinho also said Espanyol did not deserve to lose, while Calatrava said Espanyol carried out its plan well until conceding late.
Effect of the late goal
Real Madrid's View
Real Madrid's attacking changes eventually produced the decisive goal when Espi capitalised on a loose ball.
Espanyol's View
Calatrava described the late concession as a gut-punch after Espanyol had worked hard and defended until the end.
Physical treatment of Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid's View
Mourinho argued that fouls against Vinicius Junior were systematic and frustrating for the player.
Espanyol's View
Espanyol players repeatedly fouled Vinicius, according to the report, as they tried to limit his influence.
- Final score
- Espanyol 1, Real Madrid 2
- Opening goal
- Jude Bellingham headed in Arda Guler's cross in the ninth minute.
- Espanyol equaliser
- Alex Calatrava finished Javi Hernandez's cut-back in the 30th minute.
- Winning goal
- Substitute Carlo Espi, also reported as Carlos Espi, scored in the 90th minute.
- Real Madrid coach
- Jose Mourinho began his second spell in charge of the club.
- Espi's transfer
- The 21-year-old Spanish striker joined Real Madrid from Levante during the close season.
- Late substitutions
- Mourinho introduced Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella after halftime, while Espi came on with about 10 minutes remaining.
