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Strong start-Kylian Mbappe helps Blancos overcome Osasuna as Xabi Alonso makes winning start in La Liga title race

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by

Binh
in

The Frenchman scored the only goal, but Alonso’s side were otherwise underwhelming in their season-opening win

Kylian Mbappe grabbed the only goal of the game as Real Madrid began their La Liga campaign with a sluggish showing against Osasuna on Tuesday night. The French superstar converted from the spot shortly after half-time, which proved enough for an underwhelming 1-0 win at the Bernabeu for Los Blancos.

Madrid endured a rather slow start. Osasuna were happy to sit back and invite pressure, while the home side had few attacking ideas. Dean Huijsen provided Real’s best attempt of the first half, forcing a tidy save with a long-range effort.

Mbappe opened things up with a sublime piece of skill six minutes after the restart, cutting inside his man before being clipped in the box. The referee showed no hesitation in pointing to the spot – and the Frenchman rolled it home.

Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham train as Real Madrid gear up for the start of their new Spanish La Liga campaign
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham train as Real Madrid gear up for the start of their new Spanish La Liga campaign– This video will start in: 11s

Los Blancos probed and prodded in search of a second. Arda Guler lashed one narrowly over and Mbappe caused problems on the right, but another goal never came, and Alonso seemed content to rotate as the minutes wound down. Just before the final whistle, Osasuna were reduced to 10 men after an off-the-ball incident.

GOAL rates Real Madrid’s players from the Santiago Bernabeu…

      • Dean Huijsen Real Madrid 2025Getty

        Goalkeeper & Defence

        Thibaut Courtois (7/10):

        Didn’t have a save to make, but will take the clean sheet.

        Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

        Par for the course. Pinged some ridiculous passes, but also fell asleep defensively on a few occasions. An passable 68 minutes.

        Eder Militao (7/10):

        Entrusted with a start as he continues to recover from an ACL injury. Didn’t have loads to do but kept it tidy.

        Dean Huijsen (8/10):

        Incredibly composed at the back and moved the ball wonderfully. Looks a real talent.

        Alvaro Carreras (6/10):

        Turned in a solid defensive showing and kept it safe when he had the ball.

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      • Arda Guler Real Madrid 2025Getty

        Midfield

        Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

        Sat at the base of midfield and added valuable cover. Circulated the ball effectively, but could have done with a bit more zip.

        Federico Valverde (6/10):

        A quiet showing, mostly because he spent most of the game covering for everyone else.

        Arda Guler (7/10):

        Used on the left side of a midfield trio. Poor in the first half, but was Madrid’s best player in the second, and unlucky not to score.

      • Vinicius Jr Real Madrid 2025Getty

      • Attack

        Brahim Diaz (5/10):

        A few nice touches, but really needed to hold width on the right, and spent most of his time cutting inside.

        Kylian Mbappe (7/10):

        Was the match winner without playing particularly well. Scored the only goal from the spot. Pressed a bit more willingly, but looked entirely lost positionally at times.

        Vinicius Jr (6/10):

        A bit mixed, all said. Got involved in some really nice interplay, and almost set up a ridiculous Mbappe goal. But could have been a little more incisive.