Sacrificing Güler and the disappearance of Vinicius: mixed performances from Real Madrid's stars against Espanyol

A puzzling appearance from some of the Real Madrid players

The newspaper Mundo Deportivo handed out its player ratings after Real Madrid's win over Espanyol in the opening round of the Spanish league, a match the Royal side settled with a late goal from Carlos Espi.

Real escaped a tricky start to their La Liga campaign. Espanyol came within a whisker of snatching a valuable point. Jude Bellingham put Real ahead in the ninth minute, only for Calatrava to level for the hosts on the half hour. Then new arrival Carlos Espi came off the bench in the 90th minute to make his first mark and hand coach Jose Mourinho three hugely important points.

Courtois present: Dumfries imposes himself

Courtois (alert): He conceded a goal, but could do nothing to stop it. He was alert to everything that reached his box.

Dumfries (good presence): The Dutchman got the better of Trent and made his first competitive start for Real Madrid. He carried an attacking threat, yet had more to give, particularly for Espanyol's equaliser.

Konaté (seriousness): A first match for Real Madrid, and the centre-back saw it out with a serious performance.

Huijsen secures the back line: Valverde out of the picture

Huijsen (good): he kept it simple in defence, and that is good news for him and for Real Madrid.

Carreras made the right calls at the back, but he offered next to nothing going forward.

Valverde (invisible): Mourinho handed him a defensive midfield role. It is not the Uruguayan's position, and it showed. He gave little or almost nothing, and Real Madrid lost his runs from the second line.

Playing out of position, Bernardo Silva was Real Madrid's creative midfielder and tried to add something. This is clearly not his natural role.

Güler a victim: Bellingham steals the spotlight

Arda Guler (the sacrifice): The Turk played on the right flank and ranked among Real Madrid's best performers, even delivering the cross for Bellingham's goal to make it 0-1. Mourinho then sacrificed him to bring on Diomande.

Bellingham (the surprise): The Englishman was Mourinho's shock inclusion in the starting line-up, a gamble given how little training he had under his belt. He scored to make it 0-1 and went close to a second. He hung on until his legs gave out.

Mbappé tries, Vinícius loses his battles

Vinicius (a whole host of problems): Real Madrid's opening match of the season brought the Brazilian's first problems, especially in the first half. His performance, in short, was modest.

Mbappe drew a blank. The Frenchman tried and tried, but the goal would not come. He finished the match playing behind the striker.

The hero Espy: decisive contributions from the substitutes

Diomande (timid): He came on in the closing stages and looked nervous down the right flank, always looking for a pass rather than backing himself to take a man on.

Cucurella (returning after five years): The full-back was back in La Liga. He came on late and did fine, nothing more.

Trent: The Englishman watched Mourinho hand a start at right-back to Dumfries, the man he was meant to be replacing.

Camavinga: On he came to inject strength and freshness into the Real Madrid midfield.

Espi (hero): Introduced in the 80th minute, the striker struck in the 90th to win it for Real Madrid and cap a thrilling finish.

Read also: Mourinho survives the first battle: Real's old problems return to the fore