Real Madrid began their 2026/27 LaLiga campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol, after substitute Carlos Espí scored a 90th-minute winner at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona.

Jude Bellingham put Madrid ahead in the ninth minute, meeting an Arda Güler delivery with a header to give José Mourinho’s side an early advantage.

Espanyol responded in the 30th minute through Álex Calatrava, whose equaliser ensured the teams went into the latter stages of the match level at 1-1.

Madrid pushed for a winner as the match approached full time, with Mourinho turning to his bench and introducing several players in an effort to break down the home side.

Among them was Carlos Espí, who entered in the 80th minute.

Ten minutes later, the summer signing produced the decisive moment.

After Kylian Mbappé lost possession during a Madrid attack, Espí reacted to the loose ball inside the penalty area and fired home the goal that gave the visitors all three points. Reuters reported the winner as coming in the 90th minute.

LaLiga’s official account confirmed the 2-1 result, listing Bellingham and Espí as Real Madrid’s scorers and Calatrava as Espanyol’s goalscorer.

The victory also marked Mourinho’s first LaLiga match since returning to Real Madrid.

The Portuguese coach had gone into the new season promising collective responsibility and competition for places as Madrid attempt to recover after two consecutive trophyless campaigns.

His substitutions ultimately proved decisive.

Espí had been on the pitch for only around 10 minutes before scoring the winner, immediately making an impact in his first official appearance for the club.

Real Madrid confirmed that all six of the club’s new signings for the 2026/27 season made their official debuts against Espanyol.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised Espí after the match, saying the forward had shown in training that he offered Madrid a different physical presence in attack.

The goalkeeper said teammates had nicknamed the striker “Joselu Jr.” because of the qualities he brings to the squad.

For Bellingham, the opening goal provided an encouraging start to the league campaign, while Güler registered the delivery that created it.

Mbappé and Vinícius Junior were less influential in front of goal. Reuters noted that both players appeared short of their best rhythm following their late return from post-World Cup holidays.

Mourinho nevertheless praised the determination shown by his team and the impact of the substitutes.

The result gives Real Madrid their first three league points of the new campaign and ensures Mourinho’s latest spell in charge begins with a victory, even though Espanyol came within minutes of securing a draw.

For Espanyol, Calatrava’s equaliser had appeared enough to earn a point until Espí’s late intervention changed the result.

The final score at the RCDE Stadium was Espanyol 1, Real Madrid 2.