{
  "id": 2668694,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T21:52:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Trust",
    "slug": "daily-trust",
    "url": "https://dailytrust.com/mourinho-begins-real-madrid-reign-with-last-minute-win/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Real Madrid kicked off the La Liga season with a last-minute 2-1 victory over Espanyol at the RCDE stadium on Saturday. Young striker Carlos Espi secured the win in the 90th minute, ending the match with a 13th La Liga goal since January. Both teams traded goals in the first half, with Jude Bellingham scoring for Real Madrid and Alex Calatrava equalizing for Espanyol. Bellingham gave Madrid the lead just nine minutes into the match with a header from Arda Guler’s set-piece. Despite having the advantage, Real Madrid failed to capitalize, allowing Espanyol to regain the lead through Calatrava on 30 minutes, who scored after finding the center of the penalty area to slot in Javi Hernandez’s cross. In the second half, Real Madrid made several substitutions, including new record signing Yan DIomande and Espi, who played a crucial role in the winning goal. The young player made a crucial defensive intercept and then deftly nudged the ball into an empty net, assisted by Kylian Mbappe’s work. This marked the second time in Real Madrid's history that they have won on their opening day, continuing their streak of not losing on the opening day for the 18th consecutive season.",
  "summary": "Real Madrid begin the new La Liga season with a 2-1 win over Espanyol at the RCDE stadium on Saturday night. Young striker Carlos Espi scored the winner in the 90th minute to ensure Real Madrid got all three points in Jose Mourinho’s first match as coach after 13 years. Both sides had traded first […]",
  "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": "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."
}