Substitute Espi snatches last-gasp winner in Real Madrid LaLiga opener

BARCELONA, Aug 22 : Real Madrid's LaLiga start had all the makings of an opening-night stumble until substitute Carlo Espi struck with impeccable timing, firing home in the 90th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 win at Espanyol on Saturday.

Real had appeared on course for a smooth ride when Jude Bellingham rose highest to send a header inside the near post in the ninth minute from Arda Guler's teasing cross.

Espanyol refused to wilt, however, and levelled on the half-hour when the unmarked Alex Calatrava finished beyond goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after Javi Hernandez slipped into the area and squared the ball.

Real coach Jose Mourinho made several changes after halftime in a bid to break the deadlock and it was Espi, brought on 10 minutes from time, who pounced on a loose ball after Kylian Mbappe was dispossessed and smashed it into the net.

"I believe that it must be hard for Espanyol to digest this loss. They fought, played well and held on until really late in the match but I think we deserved the win," Mourinho told reporters.

"It was a win with soul, with resiliency, with the strength we have from the bench. I'm happy with the hunger the players showed coming from the bench, that is what we need."

Real Madrid's new Mourinho era was heading for an awkward first-night wobble until Espi, a close-season signing from Levante, smashed in the winner.

There was heavy anticipation around Mourinho's return to the club after Real spent big in the transfer window, trying to build a squad capable of dethroning Barcelona, champions for the past two seasons while their bitter rivals went trophyless.

POLISHED START

The start, at least, looked polished. Guler assisted Bellingham to give the visitors an early lead.

Guler and Bellingham provided