Jose Mourinho began his second spell as Real Madrid manager with a dramatic victory as substitute Carlos Espi struck in the 90th minute to secure a 2-1 win over Espanyol in their La Liga opener on Saturday.
Jude Bellingham gave Madrid an early lead before Alex Calatrava equalised for the hosts in the first half. With the contest seemingly heading towards a draw, Espi capitalised on a loose ball late on to rescue three points for Mourinho in his first competitive game in charge of the Spanish giants since 2013.
The victory ensured a winning return for Mourinho, although Madrid's uneven display also exposed weaknesses that the Portuguese coach will need to address as he attempts to rebuild a side seeking to challenge Barcelona for the Spanish title.
Bellingham provides early breakthrough
Madrid started brightly and needed only nine minutes to move ahead. Arda Guler delivered from the right and Bellingham met the cross with a header to put the visitors in control.
The early breakthrough suggested Mourinho's return could begin comfortably, but Espanyol refused to allow Madrid to dictate proceedings. The hosts increasingly found opportunities to test a defence missing several players through injury.
Their response arrived in the 30th minute when Calatrava found the equaliser, ensuring the teams went into the interval level. The goal highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities that remained evident despite Madrid enjoying the greater share of attacking opportunities.
Madrid went on to dominate much of the statistical contest, recording 21 shots to Espanyol's eight and 63 per cent possession, but struggled to convert that superiority into a decisive advantage.
Stars struggle for rhythm
Mourinho fielded an attack featuring Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, but Madrid's high-profile forward line did not consistently click.
Mbappe and Vinicius were short of their best rhythm after returning late from their post-World Cup breaks, while Bellingham and Guler were among Madrid's more influential performers. Espanyol remained competitive and ensured Mourinho's side could never feel secure.
The Madrid coach turned to his bench in search of a winner, introducing several players as the second half progressed. Among them was Espi, the summer signing from Levante, who entered the contest with around 10 minutes remaining.
The changes eventually proved decisive.
Espi delivers at the death
With the clock reaching 90 minutes, Mbappe was dispossessed as Madrid mounted another attack. The ball broke loose and Espi reacted quickest, finding the net to give the visitors a last-gasp victory.
It was Espi's first goal for Real Madrid and provided an immediate return for Mourinho's decision to introduce the young forward. The winner also extended Madrid's run without defeat in a La Liga opening fixture to 18 seasons.
Mourinho praised the contribution of his substitutes after the match, highlighting their hunger and willingness to make an impact. He also acknowledged the difficulty of the contest and Espanyol's intensity while expressing satisfaction with his team's resilience.
Defence remains a concern
While three points represented an encouraging beginning, Madrid's performance was far from flawless. Espanyol's ability to threaten despite having substantially less possession demonstrated that Mourinho still has considerable work ahead.
Madrid were without a number of defensive and midfield options, including Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni, limiting Mourinho's choices for his first league fixture back in charge.
The Portuguese manager has returned to Madrid more than 13 years after his first spell ended in 2013, this time tasked with restoring domestic supremacy after Barcelona won the previous two league titles.
The opening night ultimately delivered what mattered most — three points. But the narrow escape at Espanyol also served as an early reminder that Mourinho's second Madrid project remains a work in progress.