Mourinho's first match back at Real Madrid ends in 90th‑minute win over Espanyol

José Mourinho returned to Real Madrid’s Bernabéu for his first match in charge after a 12‑year absence, guiding the club to a 1‑0 victory that came from a 90th‑minute strike. The win, achieved against Espanyol, marked the culmination of a day of celebrations, frustrations and a sense of relief for the former Portugal coach, who had been absent from the club for 4,380 days.

Mourinho’s approach to the game was measured. Rather than joining the bench in a flurry of celebration, he walked down the touchline, watched his players celebrate, and spoke privately with captain Fede Valverde. The match also highlighted his task of blending a new star‑studded lineup—Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham—while integrating the club’s most expensive signing to date, 21‑year‑old Yan Diomande, who came from Levante and scored the decisive goal.

The victory underscores Mourinho’s calm leadership and his ability to manage a high‑profile squad. With a win to start his tenure, the coach has demonstrated that he can harness the talents of his marquee players and the emerging talent of Diomande, setting a foundation for the challenges ahead in La Liga and European competition.