The Portuguese coach arrived to watch the reserve side despite the NFL event taking place at the Santiago Bernabéu, where members of his squad and club president Florentino Pérez were also present. Mourinho watched from the directors’ area, apparently alone and without members of his coaching staff, following the match closely. A group of children spotted him and attempted to take photographs.
His visit gave him an opportunity to assess Castilla players who could be considered for first-team involvement during a week when many senior players are due to join their national teams. Jorge Cestero, Aguado, Sergio Martínez and Ciria were among those he watched. It was not the first time Mourinho had attended a Castilla match.
On the pitch, the reserve side were left frustrated after rescuing a late point in a match that had looked within their reach. Hércules took the lead after seven minutes when Antoñín headed home at the far post. Narro delivered the cross after a defensive breakdown, with Fortea falling as the ball arrived and leaving the forward with a simple finish past Mestre.
The visitors dropped deeper after scoring and made life difficult for Castilla, who enjoyed more possession but struggled to create clear chances before the break. The home side appealed for a penalty, but the incident was reviewed and no spot-kick was awarded.
Castilla improved after half-time and drew level in the 59th minute. Ciria supplied the pass into the area and Diego Aguado finished emphatically to make it 1-1. Julián López introduced Yáñez and Leiva in a double substitution seven minutes later as the hosts pushed for a winner.
Carvajal came close with a header from inside the six-yard box, but the ball drifted across goal without crossing the line. Instead, Hércules regained the lead in the 86th minute when Soldevila curled a direct free-kick into the top corner, leaving Mestre with no chance.
Castilla refused to accept defeat. Leiva produced a run down the left before cutting the ball back into the area, where Cestero finished with composure in the 90th minute to make it 2-2.
The hosts pushed for a third goal but had to settle for a draw that felt like a missed opportunity. The point kept Castilla ninth, two points outside the play-off places.