Real Madrid defeat Espanyol 2-1 in Mourinho's return match

Real Madrid secured a 2‑1 victory after a dramatic finish in which substitute Carlos Espi netted the decisive goal in the closing minutes. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring early in the first half, giving the visitors an early lead, while Alex Calatrava restored parity for the home side shortly before halftime. The match, played at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, saw both teams create multiple chances, but it was Espi’s late strike that ultimately tipped the balance in Madrid’s favor.

The win moves Real Madrid up the league table, extending their unbeaten run and reinforcing their position among the title contenders. Espi’s goal, coming in the 86th minute, underscored the squad’s depth and the impact of tactical substitutions. With three points added, the team will look to build on the performance in their upcoming fixtures, while Calatrava’s contribution highlighted the resilience of the opposition despite the defeat.