Madrid find a way despite World Cup disadvantage

Jose Mourinho said Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Espanyol was earned through character and collective spirit after a difficult start to the LaLiga campaign.

Real Madrid were given an extended break after the World Cup, leaving several key players short of a normal pre-season. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring after nine minutes, but Cala equalised for Espanyol before half-time. Espanyol then held firm until the closing stages, when new signing Carlos Espi reacted quickest to a loose ball in the penalty area and scored the winner in the 90th minute.

The result marked Madrid’s first match under Mourinho since his return to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer, and the coach acknowledged that his team was not yet at full physical sharpness. Three starters — Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Thibaut Courtois — had reached at least the quarter-finals of the World Cup, while Marc Cucurella made his competitive debut from the bench after Spain’s tournament triumph.

“That's why I value this victory very much, it's a victory with soul, also from the bench,” Mourinho said. “It was a difficult match, and they are three very important points.”

Madrid deserved the points, Mourinho says

Madrid registered 2.92 expected goals to Espanyol’s 1.12, and Mourinho believed the statistics reflected a match in which his side eventually imposed pressure and control. He also conceded that Espanyol’s disciplined defensive performance and counter-attacking threat made the defeat harsh on the hosts.

“I think we deserved to win, but Espanyol didn't deserve to lose,” Mourinho said. “But we deserved it.”

Mourinho defends Vinicius Junior

Mourinho also criticised the treatment of Vinicius Junior, who was booed by the home supporters throughout the match. The coach accepted that the forward is not faultless but said the reaction had crossed a line, particularly after Espanyol players appealed for a second booking when Vinicius Junior went down while already on a yellow card.

“He is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much,” Mourinho said. “We are in a social era of anti-bullying, but with Vini, we are still in the era of bullying.”

Mourinho added that Vinicius Junior would need to show emotional control and warned him to be careful with any celebration if he scores in similar circumstances.

Real Madrid now face a quick turnaround, hosting Real Sociedad on Wednesday before welcoming Malaga to the Spanish capital next Sunday.