Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, Yan Diomande – they all make up Real Madrid's formidable attacking line. And yet, none of them came to the team's rescue in a daunting away clash with Espanyol.Instead, it was a youngster who was Jose Mourinho's personal choice. Many were astonished when Madrid splashed out €25 million to bring the 21-year-old Carlos Espi from Levante a month ago, but the Portuguese tactician apparently knew what he was doing.With his superstars seriously struggling against a motivated opponent and dropping points seemingly inevitable, the youngster stepped up and scored the last-minute winner, securing Madrid a 2-1 triumph.Real Madrid kicked off their La Liga campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory away against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium. pic.twitter.com/fNCeuFspwn— Prime Pitch (@PrimePitch_) August 23, 2026 Los Blancos opened the game ideally, breaking the deadlock after only nine minutes through Bellingham. However, Espanyol responded at the half-hour mark through Alex Calatrava, who equalized to make it 1-1 at half-time.Mourinho tried to wake his men up with several substitutions throughout the second period, but his 80th-minute change of last resort turned out to be the one that won him the game.Diomande's fascination with Mourinho: "I'm ready to die for him"Not Eduardo Camavinga, Trent Alexander-Arnold, or Yan Diomande, but Carlos Espi.When all seemed lost, in the last minute, the striker found himself in an ideal position following Mbappe's solo run and slotted the ball into the empty net, sending Madrid's bench into ecstasy, and the RCDE Stadium stands into despair.One way or another, Los Blancos got the job done and picked up their first three points of the season. Now, it's Barcelona's turn.After missing the opening round, just like their fiercest rivals, Hansi Flick's men will kick off the new La Liga campaign at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero against Elche (22.30).We’ll see whether they fare better or worse than Real Madrid.LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 2ThursdayRayo Vallecano – Alaves 1-1 (0-0)/Camello 48 – Diaz 84/FridayBetis – Sociedad 1-0 (0-0)/Riquelme 63/SaturdayAthletic Bilbao – Sevilla 1-3 (0-1)/Paredes 70 – Oso 15, Ejuke 50, Romero 57/Valencia – Celta 0-0Espanyol – Real Madrid 1-2 (1-1)/Calatrava 30 – Bellingham 9, Espi 90/Sunday18.00: (2.00) Atletico Madrid (3.60) Villarreal (4.10)20.30: (2.25) Getafe (3.00) Racing Santander (4.00)22.30: (8.50) Elche (6.00) Barcelona (1.35)Monday20.30: (1.85) Osasuna (3.50) Levante (4.40)22.30: (2.50) Malaga (3.10) Deportivo A Coruna (3.05)***odds are subject to change***