Mbappe penalty helps get Madrid off to a winning start
MADRID — Kylian Mbappe got off to a scoring start in his second season with Real Madrid, leading the team to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener Tuesday.
Mbappe, the leading scorer in his debut season with Madrid last term, converted a 51st-minute penalty to give the host the win. A nice run by Mbappe through the right side of the area, followed by a neat cutback move, drew the foul.
The goal got new coach Xabi Alonso off to a winning start in his first full season with the club. The former Madrid player arrived before the Club World Cup to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who left to take the reins of the Brazil national side.
"It was special to be back here as a coach. Unforgettable," Alonso said. "Hopefully, it was the first of many victories celebrated here."
Alonso started the match with three of the club's new signings for the season — left-back Alvaro Carreras, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen. Teenage forward Franco Mastantuono came off the bench to replace Brahim Diaz in the 68th, being loudly cheered by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Some fans had not been happy after the former River Plate player praised Lionel Messi — his fellow Argentine who was a star at rival Barcelona — during his introductory news conference.
The 18-year-old Mastantuono had a chance to score in the 89th, but his shot from inside the area was saved by the Osasuna goalkeeper.
"They all did well," Alonso said of the newcomers. "They are players who will be helping us for years. None of them felt the pressure of the Madrid jersey, or of (playing at) the Bernabeu."
Osasuna defender Abel Bretones was sent off in stoppage time with a straight red card for using a high arm to block Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.
"They dominated, we knew it was going to be like that," Osasuna midfielder Ruben Garcia said. "We played a good game but couldn't get too close to their goal. In the end, they deserved the victory."
Madrid forward Rodrygo watched the match from the bench, intensifying speculation of a possible transfer. Alonso downplayed Rodrygo's lack of minutes, saying he is still counting on the Brazil international.
"It was only a match," he said. "If in three months he still isn't getting these minutes, then it's different."
The game was played Tuesday instead of last weekend along with the rest of opening matches because Madrid's players needed more rest following the team's participation at the Club World Cup. Madrid's attempt to delay its debut even further was denied by the league.
Madrid controlled possession — more than 70 percent — but struggled to break through the tight Osasuna defense early, threatening only with a few long-range shots.
"There were positives, beginning with the result," Alonso said. "We still need a few things that will give us stability to keep progressing."
Mbappe, with the No 10 jersey this season, had one of Madrid's best first-half chances, a curling shot from inside the area that just missed the top corner, but finally broke through with the winner early in the second half as Madrid continued to press forward. He sent a low shot from the spot into the right side of the net as the goalkeeper dived the other way.
"You can tell that Mbappe wants more," Alonso said.
Barcelona began its title defense with a comfortable 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday, while on Sunday, Atletico Madrid squandered a first-half lead at Espanyol, losing 2-1 after conceding two goals late on.
Madrid was runner-up to Barcelona in the Spanish league last season. Osasuna finished ninth.
Agencies via Xinhua
