{
  "id": 2664935,
  "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-2664935",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T22:09:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/23/real-madrid-snatch-late-win-at-espanyol-on-mourinho-s-return"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, thanks to substitute Carlos Espi's late goal in the 90th minute. Jose Mourinho, returning to manage the club for the second time, led his team to a win that marked the opening fixture of the season. Jude Bellingham scored the opening goal, while the substitute Espi secured the winning points after Alex Calatrava had leveled the score. Mourinho emphasized that his team deserved the win, stating that Espanyol didn't deserve to lose as they lacked players who participated in the World Cup and had been working together for an extended period. The Portuguese coach started the match with star players such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Bellingham, along with debuting Bernardo Silva, Denzel Dumfries, and Ibrahima Konate. Despite Espanyol's threat in the first half, Madrid managed to maintain their lead and ultimately triumph when Espi capitalized on a loose ball in the box to score the decisive goal.",
  "summary": "Jude Bellingham opened the scoring in Los Blancos' opening fixture of the season, and new signing Carlos Espi secured the 2-1 victory.",
  "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": "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": "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"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}