Mbappé's Penalty Hands Real Madrid Winning Start to LaLiga Season
Madrid — Kylian Mbappé's second-half strike from the penalty spot sealed a narrow 1–0 victory for Real Madrid over Osasuna on Tuesday night, ensuring Xabi Alonso began his league reign at the Bernabéu with three points. It wasn't a vintage Madrid display. Against a disciplined and deep-lying Osasuna, the hosts dominated possession but struggled to break through in the first half, mainly restricted to speculative long-range efforts. Eder Militão went closest, forcing a sharp save from Sergio Herrera with a fierce drive. The breakthrough arrived six minutes into the second half when Juan Cruz clipped Mbappé inside the area. Calm and clinical, the French superstar wrong-footed Herrera from the spot to ignite the Bernabéu and give Madrid the edge. "I didn't have much space in the first half," Mbappé admitted afterwards to club media. "We knew patience was key. Scoring early after the break helped us control the game. We should have added a second, but the win was the most important thing." Osasuna were forced to show more ambition after falling behind. Ante Budimir squandered their best chance, heading over from close range, while teenager Franco Mastantuono nearly capped his Real debut with a goal, denied by Herrera at the near post.  Arda Güler also went close with a curling effort from distance, but Madrid ultimately settled for a single-goal cushion. Osasuna's frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Abel Bretones was shown red for an off-the-ball foul on Gonzalo García. For Alonso, it was an essential first step in LaLiga, especially after his side's humbling 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals last month. The Basque coach handed league debuts to Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras in defence, underlining the team's ongoing evolution. Crucially, Madrid delivered despite missing several stars: Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Brazilian prodigy Endrick through injury, while Antonio Rüdiger sat out suspended. With Barcelona having dispatched Mallorca 3–0 in their own opener, Real could ill afford an early slip. Mbappé's penalty ensured they didn't — but Alonso will know sharper attacking edges will be needed as the campaign unfolds.
