Carlos Espi’s Late Goal Gives Real Madrid a 2–1 Win at Espanyol

Bellingham scores early; Cala answers

Real Madrid took an early lead at Espanyol when Guler’s set-piece delivery found Bellingham for a header in the ninth minute. Dmitrovic then saved Mbappe’s effort from the edge of the box. Espanyol had a chance of its own when Courtois denied Riedel and Roberto sent the rebound just over.

Around the half-hour mark, Tyrhys Dolan played the ball to Javi Hernandez, whose cross reached Cala for a left-footed equalizer. Espanyol nearly created another opening before the break when a cross from the right, grazed by a Madrid defender, narrowly evaded Dolan and Roberto. Dmitrovic denied Mbappe twice more, and the teams went into halftime tied 1–1.

Chances at both ends after halftime

Calatrava missed Espanyol’s first clear chance of the second half. At the other end, Dmitrovic and the crossbar kept out Bellingham’s second header from Guler. Valverde also hit the woodwork as Madrid looked for another goal.

Midway through the half, Cucurella and Diomande replaced Carreras and Güler. Espanyol then brought on Drkušić and Rafa Bauza for Riedel and Calatrava. Carlos Espí replaced Bellingham in the 80th minute, putting him on the field for the decisive late play.

Espi decides it in stoppage time

In stoppage time, Diomande found Mbappe, but defenders dispossessed him. Espi reached the loose ball and scored to restore Madrid’s lead. His goal settled a 2–1 win after the teams had been level since Cala’s first-half equalizer.