La Liga: Mbappé Scores As Real Madrid Edge Osasuna In Opening Match

Kylian Mbappé’s second-half penalty was enough to hand Real Madrid a tense 1-0 victory over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu, as Xabi Alonso began his reign as head coach with three points.

The French striker, last season’s European Golden Shoe winner, converted from the spot on Tuesday after being brought down by Osasuna defender Juan Cruz. His goal marked the difference in a hard-fought contest and extended Madrid’s record of remaining unbeaten in opening league fixtures since 2008.

“It was special to be back here as a coach unforgettable,” Alonso said after the game. “This is hopefully the first of many victories celebrated at the Bernabéu. There are positives, starting with the result, though we still need improvements for greater stability.”

Madrid’s lineup featured summer signings Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras, while teenage prospect Franco Mastantuono made his debut as a second-half substitute. England international Jude Bellingham, however, was absent due to a shoulder surgery that will sideline him until October.

Despite dominating possession, Madrid struggled to break down Osasuna’s compact defense in the first half, with long-range efforts from Huijsen and Éder Militão easily dealt with by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. Mbappé came close before the break but couldn’t finish a Vinícius Júnior pass and later curled a shot wide.

The breakthrough came six minutes after the restart, when Cruz’s clumsy challenge on Mbappé handed Madrid a penalty. The Frenchman stepped up confidently, sending Herrera the wrong way to score his first of the new campaign after netting 31 goals last season in Spain’s top flight.

Osasuna threatened sporadically, with Ante Budimir heading over in their best chance, while Herrera denied Mastantuono late on. Their frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Abel Bretones was sent off for elbowing Gonzalo García.

The narrow win marks the beginning of a new era for Los Blancos, who are eager to bounce back from a disappointing end to the Carlo Ancelotti era after losing both domestic and European crowns last season.