Kylian Mbappé received off to a scoring begin in his second season with Real Madrid, main the group to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener Tuesday (August 19, 2025).
Mbappé, the main scorer in his debut with Madrid final season, transformed a 51st-minute penalty kick to offer the hosts the victory. A pleasant run by Mbappé by the proper aspect of the realm, adopted by a neat cutback transfer, prompted the foul.
The purpose gave new coach Xabi Alonso a successful debut in his first full season with the membership. The former Madrid participant arrived earlier than the Club World Cup to interchange Carlo Ancelotti, who left to take the Brazil job.
“It was special to be back here as a coach, unforgettable,” Alonso stated. “Hopefully it was the first of many victories celebrated here.” Alonso began the match with three of the membership’s new signings for the season — left again Álvaro Carreras, proper again Trent Alexander-Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen. Teenage ahead Franco Mastantuono got here off the bench to interchange Brahim Díaz in the 68th, being loudly cheered by the gang on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Real Madrid’s head coach Xabi Alonso talks to the gamers in the course of the La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Osasuna in Madrid, Spain
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AP
Some followers had not been completely satisfied after the previous River Plate participant praised Lionel Messi — the man Argentine who was a star at rival Barcelona — throughout his introductory information convention.
The 18-year-old Mastantuono had an opportunity to attain in the 89th, however his shot from inside the realm was saved by the Osasuna goalkeeper.
“They all did well,” Alonso stated of the newcomers. “They are players who will be helping us for years. None of them felt the pressure of the Madrid jersey or of the Bernabeu.” Osasuna defender Abel Bretones was despatched off in stoppage time with a straight purple card for a excessive arm to dam Madrid ahead Gonzalo García.
“They dominated, we knew it was going to be like that,” Osasuna midfielder Rubén García stated. “We played a good game but couldn’t get too close to their goal. In the end, they deserved the victory.”
Madrid ahead Rodrygo stayed on the bench the entire match, intensifying hypothesis of a attainable switch. Alonso downplayed Rodrygo’s lack of minutes, saying he nonetheless counts on the Brazil worldwide for now.
“It was only a match,” he stated. “If in three months he still isn’t getting these minutes, then it’s different.” The sport was performed Tuesday as an alternative of final weekend together with the remainder of opening matches as a result of Madrid’s gamers wanted extra relaxation following the group’s participation on the Club World Cup. Madrid’s try to delay its debut even additional was denied by the league.
Madrid managed possession — greater than 70% — however struggled to interrupt by the tight Osasuna protection early, threatening with a number of long-range pictures.
“There were positives, beginning with the result,” Alonso stated. “We still need a few things that will give us stability to keep progressing.” Mbappé, with the No. 10 jersey this season, had one in all Madrid’s finest first-half probabilities with a curling shot from inside the realm that simply missed the highest nook, however lastly broke by with the winner early in the second half as Madrid continued to press ahead. He despatched a low shot from the spot into the proper aspect of the web as the goalkeeper dived the opposite means.
“You can tell that Mbappé wants more,” Alonso stated.
Barcelona started its title protection with a snug 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday, whereas Atletico Madrid squandered a late lead in a 2-1 loss at Espanyol on Sunday.
Madrid was runner-up to Barcelona in the Spanish league final season. Osasuna completed ninth.
