Mbappe’s penalty hands Real Madrid winning start in La Liga

Kylian Mbappe got Real Madrid’s new era under coach Xabi Alonso off to a winning start as his penalty sealed a 1-0 victory over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. The French striker, last season’s European Golden Shoe winner, struck six minutes after the restart when he converted from the spot following a foul by defender Juan Cruz.

Mbappe, who finished his debut season in Spain as La Liga’s top scorer with 31 goals, has inherited the number 10 shirt vacated by Luka Modric after the Croatian’s move to AC Milan. Alonso praised the forward’s hunger, noting his determination to push both his own and the team’s performance levels higher.



The match marked Alonso’s first in charge of Madrid, who extended their run of unbeaten opening-day league fixtures to 17 years. Despite limited preparation following their Club World Cup semi-final run in July, the hosts produced a controlled display against stubborn opposition.

Summer signings Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras were all handed debuts, though Madrid were without Jude Bellingham, sidelined until October after shoulder surgery. Dani Carvajal made his long-awaited return from a knee injury, coming off the bench in the second half.

Osasuna, who finished ninth last season, sat deep and frustrated Madrid early on, limiting them to long-range strikes from Huijsen and Eder Militao, while Vinicius Junior set up chances Mbappe couldn’t quite finish. Goalkeeper Sergio Herrera kept the visitors in contention, but Mbappe’s composed penalty proved decisive.

Alonso also gave 18-year-old Argentine winger Franco Mastantuono his debut, and the youngster tested Herrera late on. Osasuna’s only real threat came when Ante Budimir headed over, before Abel Bretones was dismissed in stoppage time for blocking Gonzalo Garcia with his arm.

Madrid held firm, making a confident start to life under Alonso and underlining Mbappe’s central role in their ambitions this season.