Espi's late intervention meant a 2-1 winning start for Jose Mourinho back in LaLiga after over a decade away from Spanish football.
Real Madrid's decision to activate Espi's €25m release clause at Levante this summer - on the back of scoring 11 league goals there in his first-ever top-flight campaign - has slipped under the radar.
The move for Yan Diomande has grabbed the headlines in Madrid alongside news on a contract extension for Vinicius Junior
However, his ability to score key goals could be vial to Mourinho this season - even if he's not a regular starter - and Jude Bellingham admitted he's already reminding his new teammates of a former Real Madrid super sub.
"It was a victory of mentality. Carlos Espi comes off the bench and scores an important goal He's like Joselu Jr! My goal was easy!"
Up next for Real Madrid is Mourinho's first home clash back in charge at the Estadio Bernabeu against Real Sociedad on August 26th.