Kylian Mbappe converted a crucial penalty to give "Real Madrid" a hard-fought 1-0 victory over "Osasuna" in their La Liga 2025/26 season opener at home.
"These first matches are always complicated, especially when opponents defend so deeply. We showed patience and eventually found a way through," – a statement that reflects the challenging nature of the match.
Xabi Alonso's debut as manager in Spanish football proved less spectacular than many anticipated, with the visitors parking the bus for most of the game. The Pamplona side positioned practically their entire squad near their penalty area, making it difficult for the Galacticos to find clear opportunities.
Despite the defensive approach from Osasuna, "Real" eventually broke the deadlock early in the second half. Mbappe stepped up to convert from the spot in the 51st minute, giving the hosts the advantage they wouldn't relinquish.
Interestingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold made his competitive debut for the Madrid side, playing until the 68th minute before being replaced by Carvajal. The English right-back is just one of several new faces in this revamped "Real Madrid" squad for the new campaign.
Vinicius Junior also featured in the match but didn't manage to make a significant impact before being substituted for G. Garcia in the 78th minute. The Brazilian winger couldn't find his rhythm against the packed Osasuna defense.
By the way, "Real's" goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kept a clean sheet without facing serious threats, as the visitors focused primarily on defending rather than creating scoring opportunities.
Can "Real Madrid" find more attacking fluency in their next fixtures? With all their star power, surely this narrow victory will be just the beginning of what they hope is a championship campaign.
