La Liga
Espanyol 1-2 Real Madrid: Late Espi winner hands visitors opening win
C. Espi's 90th-minute strike completed Real Madrid's comeback after a tense draw at RCDE Stadium.
Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory away at RCDE Stadium, with C. Espi scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute. The hosts, Espanyol, had taken the lead through A. Calatrava in the 30th minute, but J. Bellingham equalized early for the visitors in the ninth minute, assisted by A. Guler. The match remained level at halftime and continued that way until Espi's late winner, which left Espanyol searching for answers in stoppage time.
Espanyol started brightly, with Calatrava capitalizing on J. Hernandez's assist to put the home side ahead. However, Real Madrid responded quickly, as Bellingham found the net just nine minutes in. The goal gave Madrid momentum, and they controlled large portions of the first half without extending their lead.
The second half saw Espanyol push forward, with several chances going begging. Their efforts paid off in terms of urgency but not results, as Madrid's defense held firm. The hosts grew frustrated, and their discipline began to fray, with four yellow cards handed out in the final 20 minutes alone.
In the 84th minute, Exposito received a booking, followed by P. Milla and P. Lozano in stoppage time, reflecting Espanyol's growing desperation. Despite their pressure, they could not find an equalizer, and Madrid made them pay in the 90th minute when Espi sealed the win.
The result leaves Espanyol in third place in La Liga with three points from one match, while Real Madrid sit 14th with zero points after not featuring in the opening round. Both teams will regroup ahead of their next fixtures, with Espanyol hoping to bounce back quickly from the late heartbreak.
Referee José María Sánchez Martínez kept a tight rein on the action, booking six players across the match. The RCDE Stadium atmosphere was intense throughout, with the home crowd backing Espanyol in waves, but ultimately unable to prevent the late collapse.
Real Madrid's victory was built on resilience and timing, as they weathered early pressure and struck at crucial moments. Their formation, a 4-2-3-1 under Jose Mourinho, provided solid structure, while Espanyol's 4-4-2 under Manolo Gonzalez struggled to break down the visitors' disciplined shape.