{
  "id": 2664797,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T21:55:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/substitute-espi-snatches-last-gasp-winner-in-real-madrid-laliga-opener-6335351"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid's LaLiga opener against Espanyol was anything but smooth on Saturday, but substitute Carlo Espi delivered a dramatic 90th-minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory. Jude Bellingham put Real ahead in the ninth minute with a header from Arda Guler's cross, but Espanyol's Alex Calatrava equalised before halftime. Jose Mourinho made several changes at halftime in an attempt to break the deadlock, with Espi coming on in the 85th minute. The 21-year-old Spaniard struck a perfect finish on a loose ball after Kylian Mbappe was dispossessed to seal the win. Mourinho expressed satisfaction with his new signings' hunger and resilience after the early setback, emphasizing that the bench provided the strength needed to win the match.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "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": "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": "New Straits Times",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-08-22T22:13:34.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Mourinho decries alleged bullying of Vinicius after Real's win at Espanyol",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/mourinho-decries-alleged-bullying-of-vinicius-after-reals-win-at",
        "published": "2026-08-22T22:37:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}