RCD Espanyol 2-1 Real Madrid – La Liga result as super-sub Carlos Espi comes off the bench to seal victory for Los Blancos with 90th-minute winner

Jose Mourinho's return to La Liga with Real Madrid got underway with a dramatic late winner at RCD Espanyol as Carlos Espi came off the bench to seal all three points with the match heading into stoppage time.

Real faced an Espanyol side who had already claimed a 3-0 home win over Levante to get their season off to a winning start. Manolo Gonzalez's side started in energetic fashion as they quickly closed down Real and denied them space in the opening minutes.

It did not take long for Los Blancos to find their feet, however, as they took the lead from their first attacking free-kick of the game in the ninth minute.

With the penalty box loaded with players, Arda Guler swung over a teasing delivery from the left flank, and Jude Bellingham rose highest to plant a header past Marko Dmitrovic in the Espanyol goal to give Real the early advantage.

The visitors continued to attack, with Kylian Mbappe to the fore, but they were unable to find a way past Dmitrovic.

On the half-hour mark, the hosts levelled through Alex Calatrava.

The second half continued in a similar vein to the first, with Real dominating possession and looking to create openings. But, despite plenty of dangerous build-up play, the composure in front of goal was missing. Even when a Madridista did manage to get an effort on target, they found Dmitrovic in the way.

With the game starting to peter out, and influential midfielder Bellingham limping badly after twisting his ankle on a divot, Mourinho rang the changes. One of his additions, 21-year-old Espi, was in the right place at the right time to find the net as the clock hit 90 minutes after the Espanyol defence crowded out Mbappe's goalward run.

It gave Real a valuable three points on the road to get their La Liga campaign off to a winning start, and ensured that Mourinho's return to Spanish league action began in typically dramatic fashion.

There will be FOUR ADDITIONAL MINUTES at the end of this game.

We wondered if there would be a late twist, and it's arrived right on time for Real Madrid.

Kylian Mbappe takes possession on the edge of the penalty area, turns and looks to create something. He wriggles into the box and gets crowded out, but the loose ball is picked up by young substitute Carlos Espi, who takes a touch and plants the ball into the net to give Los Blancos a priceless lead as the match goes into stoppage time.

Real Madrid have had countless attacks, but haven't been able to create that decisive moment they need to find the winner.

Now Espanyol are starting to threaten with counter-attacks of their own. After soaking up a lot of Madrid pressure, the hosts clearly fancy their chances of nicking this.

Madrid are really piling on the pressure now, and the latest chance falls to Federico Valverde, whose effort beats Dmitrovic, but goes the wrong side of the keeper's left-hand post.

For a player of his quality, he should have hit the target there, and Espanyol breathe a sigh of relief.

Jude Bellingham is limping pretty badly at the moment. He seems to have twisted his ankle on a large divot on the RDCE Stadium pitch.

With Real looking to find a winner, they'll want him on the pitch for his goalscoring qualities. But it remains to be seen whether Mourinho will keep him on or make a change for a fresher man.