Carlos Espy scored the winning goal in the 91st minute to help Real Madrid beat Elche 3-2 in La Liga.
Mourinho’s side secured a routine victory at the Estadio Martinez Valero after Matias Di Touro’s own goal and Kylian Mbappe’s goal.
But Elche showed exceptional counter-attacking ability and put themselves on the brink of a share of the spoils, with Abiel Osorio and Fenino erasing Madrid’s advantage.
However, the hosts were arguably the victims of their ambition as they fell into a stoppage-time counterattack with Kylian Mbappe setting up Espy to prevent another devastating early setback for Madrid in their La Liga title race.
The victory brings Real Madrid level with Barcelona on points Top of La Liga. Hansi Flick’s side host Racing Santander on Wednesday.
Madrid survives mass panic
Real Madrid’s only mistake so far this season came in their final away game, a 0-1 loss to Real Betis. In Elche, there were warning signs that the home side were in for another tough game despite not recording a win in their previous five games.
Elche started well, with Tate Morente’s shot narrowly deflected before Osorio’s shot went over the bar after two previous chances were squandered.
Vinicius Júnior’s goal appeared to be at the mercy of the other end but Elche paid for their profligacy when Arda Guler curled a brilliant free-kick off the post, and although the ball bounced off Di Touro’s hands as it went into the net, he was not given the credit for the goal.
Real Madrid doubled their lead eight minutes later when Jan Diomande sent in from the right and the Ivory Coast winger crossed in for Mbappe to score.
The Real Madrid talisman collided with the goalkeeper during the goal and required treatment, but he was involved in the game and Real Madrid almost made it 3-0. After Real Madrid broke through quickly, Mbappe passed the ball to Vinicius, but Dituro’s low shot was also tied.
Kylian Mbappe appeared to double his tally when he curled a through ball at the near post to give Real Madrid a three-goal advantage, but the France star was denied by an offside flag.
As Elche looked for a route back into the game, Osorio lashed out on the turn and Morente stabbed Courtois in the palm in a fit of long-term anger.
Morente had another ambitious effort narrowly missed and although the hosts were lucky, Vinicius’s disappointing night in front of goal continued as he spurned another chance after Guler’s good work, with his first shot wide of target.
Second half Elche got their deserved goal in the 71st minute when substitute Luis Cepeda reached the byline and dug out a tempting cross from the left wing, which the impressive Osorio headed across the face of goal past Courtois.
Elche completed the reversal 12 minutes later. Thomas Lemar and Josan combined well to set up Nino, who calmly curled an unerring shot into the far corner.
The goal seemed to revive Madrid but they looked set to lose more points on the way when Espy shot wide on the turn.
But Espy was the winner against Espanyol in Madrid’s first game of the season, his simple finish unmistakable as he unselfishly put the ball on the board for the substitute to seal the win after Jude Bellingham had put Kylian Mbappe in the back of the net.