Carlos Espi strikes late to give Real Madrid first win of the season

Real Madrid secured their first three points of the La Liga season with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol, thanks to a late winner from substitute Carlos Espi at the RCDE Stadium.

Espanyol had appeared on course for a share of the points after recovering from an early setback, but Espi made the difference in the 90th minute. The forward, who had been compared by some with Joselu because of his potential impact as a substitute, converted after Kylian Mbappe’s run into the penalty area to settle an entertaining contest.

Jude Bellingham had put Real Madrid ahead in the first half, only for Espanyol to level through Alex Calatrava. Real Madrid were forced to withstand sustained pressure for long periods before finding a decisive moment at the end of the match.

The result gives Real Madrid their first three points of the league campaign. Espanyol, who have now played twice, remain on the same points total.

Bellingham gives Real Madrid early lead

Real Madrid made a fast start and opened the scoring when Bellingham headed home from a free-kick delivered into the penalty area by Arda Guler.

The visitors then dropped unusually deep, allowing Espanyol to take control of possession and begin testing their defence. Their first significant effort came in the 26th minute, when Thibaut Courtois was forced into a save.

Espanyol completed their recovery three minutes later. Calatrava found the net after receiving a pass from Javi Hernandez inside the penalty area, bringing the hosts level at 1-1.

Before the interval, Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic played a key role in keeping the score level. He denied Mbappe twice and ensured the sides went into half-time with nothing separating them.

Dmitrovic continued his impressive display after the restart, this time stopping a header from Bellingham as Real Madrid attempted to regain the lead.

The visitors came close again in the 77th minute, but the post prevented Federico Valverde from scoring with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Espi decides contest in final minute

With the match still level, Jose Mourinho made three changes in the 79th minute, bringing on Camavinga, Eduardo Camavinga and Carlos Espi.

The alterations eventually produced the winning goal. In the final minute of normal time, Mbappe moved into the Espanyol area before Espi followed up to finish the attack and put Real Madrid 2-1 ahead.

Real Madrid held on during the remaining minutes to preserve their advantage and claim their first victory of the season.

The victory came in the second round of La Liga, although it was described as Real Madrid’s first league match and first collection of three points in the campaign.

Real Madrid’s next fixture will be against Real Sociedad in a rearranged match from the opening round of the league on Wednesday, 26 August. Espanyol will also face Real Sociedad next, meeting them in the third round on Saturday, 29 August.