Real Madrid edge Espanyol 1-2 with 90th-minute Espí goal as Mourinho defends Vinícius

Mourinho return and late winner

Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign with a 1-2 victory against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, securing three points in the 90th minute through substitute Carlos Espí. The fixture marked José Mourinho's first official match in charge of Real Madrid in 13 years. In his starting lineup, Mourinho fielded Jude Bellingham centrally in the attacking midfield role alongside Arda Güler and Bernardo Silva, while Fede Valverde operated in defensive midfield. Bellingham, who entered the match after scoring seven goals in eight World Cup fixtures for England, put Madrid ahead by heading home a cross from Güler before Àlex Calatrava leveled for the hosts.

Match chronology and defensive battle

The encounter featured physical friction from the opening stages, beginning in the second minute when Calatrava kicked Vinícius Júnior in the back near the Madrid technical area. Despite Real Madrid controlling possession during the second half, Kylian Mbappé was unable to convert three offensive chances against a defensive block organized by Espanyol manager Manolo González. Mourinho remained seated in a gray polo shirt taking notes with a highlighter, stepping out only to request the substitution of Dean Huijsen following a cut and to direct Denzel Dumfries on throw-ins. Espí, who lives at the Valdebebas complex and shares daily meals with staff, came off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 90th minute.

Post-match defense of Vinícius

Following the final whistle, Mourinho addressed the friction involving Vinícius Júnior, who clashed with Espanyol defender Riedel, shoved Cala to receive a yellow card, and faced chants from home supporters. The Portuguese coach recalled his own past comments as an opponent with Benfica, noting that he now manages the Brazilian and must protect him while demanding greater emotional discipline on the pitch.

Vinícius is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much. We are in a social era of anti-bullying. With Vinícius, we are still in bullying, whether from the opponent or from the crowd.

Disputed officiating and physical conditioning

Espanyol protested the officiating on social media following the match, posting on X to ask how many dives were required before a player received a second yellow card. Espanyol coach González also voiced complaints about referee José María Sánchez Martínez counting five seconds on his team while not applying the same standard to Madrid, explaining that he made substitutions to avoid a red card. Mourinho defended the referee's performance and emphasized that squad depth allowed Madrid to prevail despite shortened pre-season preparations, with Bellingham having returned to training on 12 August following international duties.

When it comes to pressing, as I like to press, we are still lacking minutes and kilometers of work and play. That is why I value this victory so much, because it is also a victory of spirit, of the bench.