August 21, 2025

Real Madrid’s football superstar Kylian Mbappe kicked off his second season at the club with a bang! On Tuesday, in the Spanish league's opening game, Mbappe scored a vital penalty in the 51st minute to lead Real Madrid to a 1-0 victory against Osasuna. This thrilling goal came after Mbappe made a slick run down the right side of the box and a smart cutback that drew a foul. New coach Xabi Alonso was all smiles after the match. This game marked his winning debut as the full-time head coach of Real Madrid. Alonso, who once wore the Madrid jersey himself, took over from Carlo Ancelotti before the Club World Cup. “It was special to be back here as a coach, unforgettable,” Alonso shared. “Hopefully it was the first of many victories celebrated here.” Alonso gave a chance to some fresh faces, starting with new players Álvaro Carreras, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dean Huijsen. Teenage striker Franco Mastantuono entered as a substitute in the 68th minute, receiving loud cheers from the crowd at Santiago Bernabeu. Although some fans were unhappy when Mastantuono praised Lionel Messi earlier, they welcomed his energy on the field. Mastantuono nearly scored in the 89th minute, but his shot was saved brilliantly by Osasuna’s goalie. Osasuna’s defense fought hard, but a late drama unfolded when defender Abel Bretones was sent off with a straight red card in stoppage time for a harsh foul on Real Madrid’s Gonzalo García. Osasuna midfielder Rubén García admitted, “They dominated, we knew it was going to be like that. We played a good game but couldn't get too close to their goal. In the end, they deserved the victory.” Real Madrid dominated with over 70% possession but had to push hard to break Osasuna's tough defense. Mbappe, wearing the famous No. 10 jersey this season, almost scored in the first half with a curling shot that just missed. Then came the penalty goal, where Mbappe calmly sent the ball low to the right as the goalkeeper dived the other way. Alonso praised his star forward, saying, “You can tell that Mbappé wants more.” Meanwhile, speculation about Madrid forward Rodrygo's future grew as he watched the match from the bench. Alonso downplayed the rumors, stating, “It was only a match. If in three months he still isn't getting these minutes, then it's different.” Madrid’s season started a bit later than others because their players needed extra rest after the Club World Cup. Their attempt to delay the match further was refused by the league. Elsewhere, rivals Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 win over a nine-man Mallorca, while Atletico Madrid lost their late lead and fell 2-1 to Espanyol. Last season, Madrid finished second to Barcelona, and Osasuna ended ninth. With a winning start and Mbappe leading the charge, Real Madrid fans have plenty to cheer about this season!

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Tags: Kylian mbappe, Real madrid, La liga, Xabi alonso, Osasuna, Football,