Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga. Substitute Carlos Espi pounced in the 90th minute to grab the winner in the club's opening fixture of the season.

Mourinho returns to the club 13 years after his initial departure, tasked with restoring order to the dressing room and challenging Barcelona's domestic dominance. His return marks a significant moment for Real Madrid, aiming to build on past successes under the Portuguese manager.

Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for Real Madrid with a header from a free kick. However, Espanyol equalized in the 30th minute through Alex Calatrava, who finished a well-worked team move. Despite chances for both sides, including saves from Thibaut Courtois and Espanyol's Marko Dmitrovic, the match remained level.

The result sets a tone of resilience for Real Madrid under Mourinho. The late winner suggests a never-say-die attitude that the manager may be looking to instill. The victory, though narrow, provides crucial early points in the La Liga campaign.

Mourinho fielded a strong lineup including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham, alongside debutants Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, and Ibrahima Konate. Bellingham, after a strong first season, had seen subsequent years less fruitful for both himself and the club. Mourinho deployed him in an attacking midfield role with freedom to roam.

Espanyol showed moments of threat, with Clemens Riedel and Roberto Fernandez forcing saves and going close. Kylian Mbappe, a consistent scorer for the club, was unable to find his usual lethal touch in front of goal during this match. Mourinho brought on further reinforcements, including record signing Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella, in an effort to secure the win.

Federico Valverde struck the post from the edge of the box as Real Madrid pressed for a late winner. Espanyol defended resolutely, limiting clear opportunities. However, Espi, the least heralded of Real Madrid's summer acquisitions, capitalized on a defensive lapse in the final moments to score the decisive goal.

This dramatic opening win contrasts with other La Liga results, where Sevilla won 3-1 at Athletic Bilbao and Valencia drew 0-0 with Celta Vigo. The focus now shifts to how Mourinho will manage his squad and replicate this winning momentum throughout the season.