Real Madrid Win With Last-Minute Goal

Jose Mourinho’s return to the Real Madrid dugout could hardly have started better. Thirteen years after leaving the club, the Portuguese coach marked his comeback with a 2-1 victory over Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, thanks to a dramatic late winner.

Real Madrid started on the front foot and took the lead in the ninth minute. Arda Guler delivered a superb free-kick into the box, and Jude Bellingham rose above the defence to head the ball into the net.

The visitors continued to push for a second goal. Kylian Mbappe came close to extending Real Madrid’s advantage, but Espanyol defender Clemence Riedel produced an excellent tackle to stop the attack.

Federico Valverde also came close with a powerful effort that struck the post, leaving Real Madrid frustrated as they failed to double their lead.

Espanyol responded in the 30th minute. Javier Hernandez delivered a well-measured cut-back, allowing Alex Calatrava to take advantage of space in the Real Madrid defence and finish calmly to level the score at 1-1.

The home side then had a golden opportunity to take the lead before half-time. Roberto Fernandez found himself in a promising position but failed to convert, sending the two teams into the break level.

The second half remained tightly contested, with both sides searching for the winning goal. As the match appeared to be heading toward a draw, substitute Carlos Espe stepped up for Real Madrid.

Espe came on for Bellingham in the 80th minute and produced the decisive moment in the final minute of normal time. After Espanyol’s defence became stretched while attempting to stop Mbappe inside the box, the young forward unleashed a powerful shot that flew into the net.

The late strike gave Real Madrid a 2-1 lead, and Mourinho’s side held on to secure all three points.

It was a memorable return for Mourinho, with Real Madrid beginning the season with a hard-fought victory. The Spanish giants had to work until the final moments, but Espe’s late strike ensured the Portuguese coach’s comeback ended with a winning start.