Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe (L) vies with Pol Lozano of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
MADRID, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- New signing Carlos Espi scored a last-minute goal to give Real Madrid a 2-1 win away to Espanyol on Saturday to kick off Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge at the club.
Espi, who joined from Levante in the summer, took advantage of a moment of confusion in the home defense caused by Kylian Mbappe to fire home.
Jude Bellingham put Real Madrid ahead in the ninth minute from Arda Guler's cross, but Espanyol produced a physical display and leveled on half an hour through Alex Calatrava.
Mbappe was denied by an excellent save from Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic before halftime.
Real Madrid pressed hard in the second half, but it looked as if Espanyol would hold on until Espi's late finish.
Sevilla took advantage of a red card to Athletic Club defender Yuri Berchiche after just 11 minutes to win 3-1 away to the Basque club.
Oso opened the scoring after a bad error from Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon just three minutes into the game. After Yuri's red, Chidera Ejuke and Isaac Romero assured the win in the second half, with home defender Aitor Paredes scoring a consolation goal for the home side.
Valencia and Celta Vigo drew a dull game 0-0 at the Mestalla Stadium, with home fans again showing their discontent with club owner Peter Lim and several players.
FC Barcelona kicks off its league campaign away to Elche on Sunday, while Atletico Madrid hosts Villarreal. ■
RCD Espanyol's Alex Calatrava (C) celebrates his score during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's'ss celebrates a goal during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
RCD Espanyol's Tyrhys Dolan (2nd L) competes with Ibrahima Konate (1st L) and Denzel Dumfries (1st R) during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (R) vies with Urko Gonzalez of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (rear) vies with Edu Exposito of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Federico Valverde (bottom) vies with Javi Hernandez of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Ibrahima Konate (R) vies with Javi Hernandez of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe (R) vies with Alex Calatrava of RCD Espanyol during the La Liga football match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid CF in RCDE Stadium, Cornella, Spain, Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua)
