{
  "id": 2664718,
  "title": "Real Madrid snatch late win at Espanyol on Mourinho's return",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/real-madrid-snatch-late-win-at-espanyol-on-mourinhos-return-2664718",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T22:13:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/08/1516783/real-madrid-snatch-late-win-espanyol-mourinhos-return"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jose Mourinho's second stint at Real Madrid concluded with a dramatic 2-1 triumph over Espanyol on Saturday. Substitute Carlos Espi sealed the victory in the 90th minute, capitalizing on a mistake after Alex Calatrava had equalized. Mourinho, who returned to the club after a 13-year absence, began the match with high-profile players including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham. Bellingham scored the opener in the 12th minute, heading in Arda Guler's cross. Espanyol threatened midway through the first half, with both Thibaut Courtois and Roberto Fernandez making crucial saves. Calatrava leveled the score for Espanyol in the 30th minute, capitalizing on a clever team move. Mourinho made significant changes in the second half, bringing on Yan Diomande and Marc Cucurella, but Madrid struggled to break through Espanyol's defense. Despite the loss, Mourinho praised his team's resilience and composure, acknowledging that Espanyol deserved a win despite lacking international players. The Portuguese manager hopes to regain control of the team and challenge Barcelona's dominance in Spanish football.",
  "summary": "CORNELLA DE LLOBREGAT: Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid began with a last-gasp 2-1 victory at Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, with substitute Carlos Espi pouncing in the 90th minute to grab the winner.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Mourinho gets going at Madrid, Inter starts with a win and Man United loses",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/mourinho-gets-going-at-madrid-inter-starts-with-a-win-and-man-united",
        "published": "2026-08-22T19:02:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Adom Online",
        "title": "Late Espi goal fires Real Madrid to win at Espanyol on Mourinho’s return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/late-espi-goal-fires-real-madrid-to-win-at-espanyol-on-mourinhos",
        "published": "2026-08-22T20:20:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Trust",
        "title": "Mourinho begins Real Madrid reign with last-minute win",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/mourinho-begins-real-madrid-reign-with-last-minute-win",
        "published": "2026-08-22T21:52:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-1 in Jose Mourinho’s first game on return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/real-madrid-beat-espanyol-2-1-in-jose-mourinhos-first-game-on-return",
        "published": "2026-08-22T21:55:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Substitute Espi snatches last-gasp winner in Real Madrid LaLiga opener",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/substitute-espi-snatches-last-gasp-winner-in-real-madrid-laliga-opener",
        "published": "2026-08-22T21:55:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "Carlos Espí avoids the upset in the 90th minute on debut for the new Real Madrid",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/carlos-espi-evita-en-el-90-el-gatillazo-en-el-estreno-del-nuevo-real",
        "published": "2026-08-22T22:00:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Real Madrid snatch late win at Espanyol on Mourinho’s return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/real-madrid-snatch-late-win-at-espanyol-on-mourinhos-return-2662438",
        "published": "2026-08-22T22:09:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Real Madrid snatch late win at Espanyol on Mourinho's return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/real-madrid-snatch-late-win-at-espanyol-on-mourinhos-return",
        "published": "2026-08-22T22:16:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}