Kylian Mbappé began his second season at Real Madrid in the best possible way, scoring the only goal in a Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna victory in their opening match of the Spanish league on Tuesday.
The French superstar, who was also Madrid’s top scorer last season, converted a penalty in the 51st minute to give his team the win at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The penalty came after Mbappé made a brilliant run down the right side of the box, cut inside with quick footwork, and was fouled by the Osasuna defender. His calm finish from the spot was enough to secure all three points for Los Blancos in this Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna clash.
It was also a special evening for Madrid’s new coach, Xabi Alonso. The former Real Madrid midfielder, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti last season before the Club World Cup, enjoyed a winning debut in his first full campaign in charge of the team. Ancelotti had left the club to take over as Brazil’s national team coach, leaving Alonso with the responsibility of leading Madrid forward after the important Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna start.
Xabi Alonso’s First Match in Charge
Alonso showed faith in some of the club’s fresh signings by starting them right away. Left-back Álvaro Carreras, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, and central defender Dean Huijsen all made their LaLiga debuts for Madrid. The coach also gave minutes to teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono, who replaced Brahim Díaz in the 68th minute. The 18-year-old forward received a loud cheer from the home supporters when he stepped onto the pitch during the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna game.
Interestingly, Mastantuono had faced some criticism before making his debut. During his first press conference after joining Madrid from River Plate, he praised Lionel Messi, his fellow Argentine and a legend at Barcelona. This didn’t sit well with some Madrid fans, but the Santiago Bernabeu still welcomed him warmly when he came on in the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna fixture.
Mastantuono nearly marked his debut with a goal in the 89th minute. After finding space inside the box, he struck a powerful shot, but Osasuna’s goalkeeper made an excellent save to deny him. Despite not scoring, the young forward’s brief appearance gave Madrid fans a glimpse of his talent and potential in the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna match.
The clash also had some drama in the final minutes. Osasuna defender Abel Bretones was shown a straight red card in stoppage time for blocking Madrid’s Gonzalo García with a raised arm. This left Osasuna with 10 men, but by then Madrid had already done enough to secure the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna victory.
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Madrid Dominate Possession but Struggle to Break Through
From the first whistle, Real Madrid controlled the game. They kept more than 70% of the possession and dictated the tempo with their passing and movement. However, Osasuna’s defensive approach made it difficult for Madrid to create clear chances in the opening half of the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna meeting.
Mbappé came close to scoring in the first 45 minutes with a curling shot from inside the area that just missed the top corner. Other than that, most of Madrid’s opportunities came from long-range efforts that failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
The breakthrough finally came six minutes into the second half. Mbappé’s speed and trickery forced a foul inside the area, and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. The French striker then stepped up and calmly slotted the ball into the right corner as the goalkeeper dived the opposite way. That decisive penalty proved to be the winner in the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna contest.
Despite their dominance, Madrid could not extend the lead, as Osasuna’s goalkeeper made several important stops and their defenders blocked shots bravely. Still, Alonso’s men looked sharp and kept pressing until the final whistle, showing a style of play that could define their season under the new coach after this Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna result.
The Bigger Picture in LaLiga
The opening weekend of LaLiga saw mixed results for Madrid’s rivals. Barcelona started their title defense in style with a comfortable 3-0 victory away at Mallorca. The home side had two players sent off, making it easier for Barça to claim the three points. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Espanyol after throwing away a late lead, unlike Madrid who made a statement with their Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna win.
For Madrid, this victory is important because they finished second to Barcelona last season and are determined to win the league this time around. Starting the campaign with three points gives them confidence, especially as they integrate new players and adapt to Alonso’s tactics. The Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna performance showed they can grind out wins when needed.
One talking point after the match was the absence of forward Rodrygo. The Brazilian stayed on the bench for the entire game, which fueled speculation about his possible transfer in the coming weeks. If he leaves, it would be a major change in Madrid’s attacking options, but the team seems prepared with Mbappé leading the line following the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna success.
Another factor behind the scheduling of this match was Madrid’s recent involvement in the Club World Cup. Because of that tournament, the league allowed them to play their first fixture later than the other teams. The club had requested even more rest, but LaLiga rejected the appeal, so they had to play on Tuesday. Even with less recovery time, Madrid delivered in the Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna encounter.
In the end, the win over Osasuna might not have been flashy, but it was effective. Madrid showed control, resilience, and flashes of brilliance from their star players. With Alonso at the helm and Mbappé already firing, the Spanish giants look ready for another exciting season after this solid Real Madrid 1-0 Osasuna opener.
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