MADRID, Aug 20 — Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot to hand Real Madrid a 1-0 victory over a resilient Osasuna yesterday, giving new coach Xabi Alonso a winning start in La Liga.
MADRID, Aug 20 — Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot to hand Real Madrid a 1-0 victory over a resilient Osasuna yesterday, giving new coach Xabi Alonso a winning start in La Liga.
The French striker, last season’s European Golden Shoe winner, converted early in the second half after being brought down in the box by defender Juan Cruz. The goal proved decisive in Alonso’s first match at the Santiago Bernabeu, extending Madrid’s run of opening-day league victories to 17 seasons.
“You can see that Kylian wants to push even further after a first year where he achieved great things,” said Alonso.
Mbappe, who finished his debut La Liga season with 31 goals, has now taken over the number 10 shirt vacated by Luka Modric, who left for AC Milan last month.
“Whether it’s the new number or simply his determination, he’s eager to raise both his individual and the team’s level. He inspires his teammates every day, and today he made the difference,” Alonso added.
Madrid entered the campaign after a shortened pre-season due to their Club World Cup semi-final run in July. Their request to postpone this fixture was rejected, but defender Dani Carvajal said the team rose to the occasion.
“To start well is key in La Liga. We knew preparation wasn’t ideal, but we didn’t suffer and delivered a solid performance,” Carvajal told DAZN after making his first league appearance since October, coming off the bench following a long knee injury.
New arrivals and absentees
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his La Liga debut after joining from Liverpool, while Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras also featured in the starting line-up. England midfielder Jude Bellingham, however, is sidelined until October after shoulder surgery.
Determined to rebound from a disappointing end to Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure, Madrid showed patience against an Osasuna side that finished ninth last season. First-half chances were limited to long-range efforts from Huijsen and Eder Militao, while Mbappe went close twice without success.
The breakthrough came six minutes into the second half when Mbappe was clipped by Cruz and calmly sent goalkeeper Sergio Herrera the wrong way from the spot.
Alonso later introduced 18-year-old Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono for his debut, as Madrid comfortably managed the game. Osasuna’s best chance fell to Ante Budimir, who headed over, before Herrera denied Mastantuono late on.
Osasuna ended the match with 10 men after Abel Bretones was sent off in stoppage time for blocking Gonzalo Garcia with a raised arm. — AFP
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