Kylian Mbappe made the difference once again for Real Madrid, scoring from the penalty spot to secure a 1-0 victory against Osasuna in their La Liga 2025/26 opener at the Santiago Bernabeu. The French star’s decisive strike in the 51st minute gave new head coach Xabi Alonso a winning start in his first full season in charge.
Mbappe, who finished as Madrid’s top scorer last season, earned and converted the penalty after a quick run down the right side and a clever cutback move that drew a foul inside the box. His calm finish gave the hosts the breakthrough they had struggled to find in the first half, despite dominating possession.
The victory also marked a memorable debut for Alonso on the Madrid bench. The former Los Blancos midfielder, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti after his move to Brazil’s national team job, described the night as “unforgettable” and expressed hope that it would be the first of many wins under his leadership.
Madrid fans were also treated to the debuts of new signings Álvaro Carreras, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dean Huijsen, all of whom started the match. Rising star Franco Mastantuono received a warm welcome when he came on in the 68th minute, nearly finding the net late in the game before being denied by the Osasuna goalkeeper.
Osasuna played with resilience but were ultimately reduced to 10 men after defender Abel Bretones was sent off in stoppage time for a reckless challenge. Midfielder Rubén García admitted Madrid’s dominance, acknowledging the hosts’ superiority despite his side’s defensive efforts.
Meanwhile, speculation around Rodrygo’s future continued as the Brazilian forward remained an unused substitute. Alonso, however, insisted that the player remains an important part of his plans.
The match had been delayed until Tuesday due to Madrid’s participation in the Club World Cup, with the league denying their request for further postponement. Despite controlling over 70 percent of possession, Madrid initially found it hard to break Osasuna’s compact defense, forcing long-range efforts before Mbappe’s decisive penalty.
Elsewhere, Barcelona began their title defense with a 3-0 win over Mallorca, while Atletico Madrid dropped points in a 2-1 defeat at Espanyol. Madrid, last season’s runner-up, will look to build on this opening win as they chase domestic and European glory this year.
