Mbappé Penalty Fires Real Madrid to Opening-Day Victory Over Osasuna in La Liga

Kylian Mbappé struck from the penalty spot as Real Madrid edged a determined Osasuna 1-0 on Tuesday night, beginning the new La Liga season with victory in Xabi Alonso’s first match as head coach.

The French forward, last season’s European Golden Shoe winner, converted six minutes after half-time after being fouled by defender Juan Cruz inside the area. The goal proved decisive as Madrid extended their record of going unbeaten in opening league fixtures since 2008.

“You can see that Kylian wants to do even more after this first year where he achieved great things,” said Alonso after the match.

Mbappé, who topped the scoring charts in his debut La Liga season with 31 goals, has inherited the No. 10 shirt following Luka Modrić’s move to AC Milan last month.

“I don’t know if it’s linked to the new number or simply his hunger to win,” Alonso added. “He wants to keep improving individually and collectively — and to inspire his team-mates. He created those decisive moments today that make the difference.”

Carvajal Returns, Alexander-Arnold Debuts
Madrid’s build-up to the season was hampered by a shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup semi-final run in July, but Alonso was insistent preparation would not serve as an excuse. Their request to delay the fixture had been rejected.

“To start on the right foot is key in La Liga. We know we weren’t well prepared,” defender Dani Carvajal told DAZN. “But we didn’t really suffer and it was a complete performance.”

Carvajal came off the bench to make his first league appearance since October after a lengthy knee injury, replacing summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold midway through the second half. The England international was one of several new arrivals, along with former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen and left-back Álvaro Carreras, who both started.

Madrid were, however, without Jude Bellingham, who is expected to be sidelined until October after undergoing surgery on a recurring shoulder issue.

Madrid Find a Way Through
Looking to move past the disappointment of losing both domestic and European crowns under Carlo Ancelotti last season, Madrid were forced to show patience against an organised Osasuna side that finished ninth in the table last year.

First-half chances were scarce, with long-range efforts from centre-backs Huijsen and Éder Militão saved comfortably by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. Mbappé spurned two openings, failing to connect with a Vinícius Júnior cross before curling wide from distance.

The breakthrough came shortly after the restart when Cruz clipped Mbappé as he attempted to cut inside. The Frenchman dusted himself off to calmly slot the penalty past Herrera.

Alonso later handed 18-year-old Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono his La Liga debut as Madrid saw out the match with composure.

Osasuna’s best opportunity fell to Ante Budimir, who headed over, before Mastantuono was denied at the other end by Herrera.

The visitors finished with 10 men after Abel Bretones was dismissed in stoppage time for blocking Gonzalo García’s run with an elbow.