Mbappe’s Penalty Secures Real Madrid’s 1-0 Win Over Osasuna in La Liga Opener

Real Madrid have begun a fresh chapter following a title-less season, entering the new La Liga campaign under the guidance of new head coach Xabi Alonso and bolstered by several new signings. Their start has been promising, even if the opening match against Osasuna required a penalty from star forward Kylian Mbappe to secure a 1-0 victory. Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, Los Blancos relied on Mbappe’s spot-kick to break the deadlock and claim all three points at the Santiago Bernabeu.

From the kickoff, Real Madrid displayed commanding control, holding 71 percent of possession throughout the match. They registered 18 shots, five of which tested Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, while the visitors managed only two shots on target. The defining moment came in the 51st minute when Mbappe, donning Real’s iconic number 10 jersey, was fouled in the penalty area by Osasuna’s Juan Cruz. The decision sparked protests from the visitors, but VAR confirmed the referee’s call, and Mbappe calmly converted the penalty, marking his first goal of the season and continuing his scoring streak from last year, when he finished as the club’s top scorer.

This match also provided a platform for new talent as Xabi Alonso handed debuts to 18-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono and defender Angel Carreras. Both young players drew attention with their confident performances, offering glimpses of the potential they bring to the squad. Mastantuono, in particular, impressed with his composure and vision in midfield, demonstrating why he is considered one of Real Madrid’s most exciting emerging talents. Despite Osasuna’s early defensive organization, Real consistently applied pressure, forcing the visitors to defend deeply and limit clear-cut chances. Dean Huijsen and Eder Militao each unleashed powerful shots, only to be denied by Herrera, who performed admirably in goal.

Following the penalty, Alonso made early substitutions, bringing on fresh legs by replacing Dani Carvajal and Franco Mastantuono. Arda Guler, meanwhile, saw a powerful attempt sail just off target, reflecting Real Madrid’s ongoing search for a second goal to secure the win more comfortably. Osasuna also threatened briefly, showing that the match was far from over. However, the defensive discipline of Real combined with timely interventions from the backline ensured that the lead was maintained until the final whistle.

The closing moments saw further drama as Osasuna’s Abel Britness received a red card during injury time, reducing the visitors to ten men. This incident effectively ended any hopes of a late equalizer and allowed Real Madrid to see out the game with composure. Ultimately, despite the narrow scoreline, the match served as a statement from Real: their new coach, Xabi Alonso, is capable of guiding the team effectively, and emerging players like Mastantuono and Carreras are ready to contribute at the highest level.

The 1-0 victory over Osasuna underscores Real Madrid’s renewed ambition under Alonso. While the match was decided by a single penalty, the overall performance highlighted their dominance in possession, creativity in attack, and defensive solidity. As the La Liga season progresses, fans will be eager to see how Mbappe continues to lead the line, how the young debutants develop, and how Alonso integrates his new signings into a cohesive unit. The season opener has provided optimism and excitement, signaling that Real Madrid is ready to challenge for titles once again while blending experienced stars with emerging talent to build a promising future.