Barcelona: Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Espanyol in their opening match of the 2026/2027 La Liga season at the RCDE Stadium. The match marked the first game for the Royal Club under the guidance of Portuguese coach José Mourinho, as he began his second stint with the team. Real Madrid had missed the opening round due to their match against Real Sociedad being postponed until next Wednesday.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Real Madrid started strongly, opening the scoring early in the ninth minute through Englishman Jude Bellingham. Bellingham headed in a perfectly placed cross from Turkish player Arda Gler following a free kick. Espanyol responded with an equalizer in the 30th minute when Álex Calatraya capitalized on a cross from his teammate Javi Hernández inside the penalty area, firing the ball past Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

In the second half, Real Madrid continued their pressure in search of regaining the lead. Bellingham almost scored his second goal in the 51st minute a
fter rising to meet another cross from Gler, but goalkeeper Dmitrovic and the post denied the visitors. The post again denied Real Madrid a second goal in the 78th minute when Uruguayan Federico Valverde unleashed a well-placed shot from outside the penalty area that struck the woodwork.

Just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Real Madrid snatched the winning goal in the 90th minute. Ivorian Yann Diomande initiated the attack, passing the ball to Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, who penetrated the penalty area before the defense intervened to intercept the ball. It fell to Carlos Espí, who slotted it into the net.

With this victory, Real Madrid moved into fifth place with three points, behind Espanyol in third and Atlético Madrid in fourth on goal difference. Sevilla leads the table with six points, followed by Alavés with four.