Real Madrid opened its LaLiga campaign with a 2-1 win over Espanyol on Saturday, Aug. 22, after substitute Carlos Espí scored the decisive goal late in the match. The result explains the sharp rise in searches for espanyol vs real madrid.

Reuters reported that Jude Bellingham put Real ahead in the ninth minute with a header from an Arda Guler delivery. Espanyol responded when Alex Calatrava equalised around the half-hour mark after Javi Hernandez created the opening.

Real coach Jose Mourinho made changes after halftime as his side looked for a second goal. Espí, who had come on about 10 minutes before the end, struck in the 90th minute after Real recovered a loose ball in the area.

The victory gave Mourinho a winning start in his return to the Real Madrid bench. Reuters described the performance as less comfortable than the visitors may have expected, with Espanyol staying competitive and Real needing a late substitute contribution.

EFE also reported the 1-2 result and identified Bellingham and Espí as Real’s scorers. The early match result is the relevant standings update for the search query; later league positions will depend on other teams’ fixtures and the completion of the opening round.