Real Madrid began their LaLiga campaign with a 2-1 victory over Espanyol, extending their unbeaten run in opening league games to 18 seasons and giving José Mourinho a winning start on his return to the club.
Real made a fast start, taking the lead inside 10 minutes when Jude Bellingham rose highest to head Arda Güler’s free-kick past Marko Dmitrović.
Espanyol responded strongly and levelled through Álex Calatrava, who finished from close range after Javi Hernández’s impressive run and cutback. Kylian Mbappé was later denied by Dmitrović, while Roberto Fernández missed a good chance to put the hosts ahead before half-time.
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Real remained on the front foot after the break, with Bellingham hitting the crossbar with another header. New club-record signing Yan Diomandé was introduced as Mourinho looked for more attacking threat, but Federico Valverde later struck the outside of the post.
Just when the match appeared destined for a draw, debutant Carlos Espí reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area in the first minute of stoppage time, rounded Dmitrović and finished into an empty net.
The result ended Espanyol’s four-match unbeaten LaLiga run and extended Real Madrid’s winning streak in Mourinho’s managerial debuts to seven.
