Espi snatches last-gasp winner in Real Madrid LaLiga opener

23 Aug 2026 05:55AM BARCELONA, Aug 22 : Real Madrid's LaLiga start had all the makings of an opening-night stumble until substitute Carlo Espi struck with impeccable timing, firing home in the 90th minute to seal a dramatic 2-1 win at Espanyol on Saturday.Real had appeared on course for a smooth start when Jude Bellingham rose highest to send a header inside the near post in the ninth minute from Arda Guler's teasing cross.Espanyol refused to wilt, however, and levelled on the half-hour when the unmarked Alex Calatrava finished beyond Thibaut Courtois after Javi Hernandez slipped into the area and squared the ball.Real coach Jose Mourinho made several changes after halftime trying in a bid to break the deadlock and it was Espi, brought on 10 minutes from time, who pounced on a loose ball a