Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium to open their 2026-27 LaLiga campaign. The match marked the beginning of Jose Mourinho’s latest tenure at the club, successfully avoiding the goalless draw that characterized his first-ever league game with the team 16 years ago.
Jude Bellingham provided an early breakthrough for Los Blancos, heading home an Arda Guler set-piece just nine minutes into the contest. However, the lead was short-lived as Alex Calatrava leveled the score for the hosts in the 30th minute. Despite the setback, the visitors maintained control, eventually finding a decisive late goal to claim all three points.
The hero of the evening was 21-year-old striker Carlos Espi, who entered the pitch in the 80th minute as a replacement for an injured Bellingham. In his brief cameo, the 6’4″ forward created a scoring chance, won 100% of his ground duels, and ultimately netted the winning goal during stoppage time.
Espi, who joined Real Madrid this summer for €25 million after a standout 11-goal season with Levante, was recognized as the best U-23 player in LaLiga last year. His immediate impact on the pitch drew significant praise from the club’s supporters on social media.
Fans were quick to laud the youngster, with some going as far as to label him “better than Mbappe.” Others expressed excitement over the signing, suggesting that if the team manages to secure the LaLiga title in May 2027, it will be largely due to the contributions of the new striker.
Supporters highlighted the efficiency of the transfer, with one fan noting that the performance proved big-name signings are not always necessary when committed players are brought into the fold. Comparisons were also drawn to other high-profile players, with some fans suggesting Espi’s potential exceeds that of Bruno Fernandes and Estevao.
The victory serves as a strong start for Mourinho’s side, who faced little threat from Espanyol after the initial equalizer. By securing the win in the dying moments, the team demonstrated the resilience that many supporters believe will be vital for a successful title challenge throughout the remainder of the season. The report also notes that the 6’4″ striker came off the bench in the closing stages for an injured Jude Bellingham with the scores level. The report also notes that one of them hailed the 21-year-old for being at the right place at the right time. The report also notes that another fan repeatedly stated that the Spaniard is better than Kylian Mbappe. The report also notes that pointing to his transfer fee as a bargain, a fan thanked the lanky striker. The report also notes that but his side made sure to avoid that outcome, mourinho’s first game of his first spell ended in a goalless draw against Mallorca 16 years ago.
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