The Frenchman scored the only goal, but Alonso’s side were otherwise underwhelming in their season-opening win.
Real Madrid kicked off their La Liga title defense with a narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night. It wasn’t a vintage display from Xabi Alonso’s men, but a decisive moment of quality from Kylian Mbappé proved enough to secure all three points.
The game began in cagey fashion, with Madrid struggling to break down Osasuna’s compact shape. The visitors were content to sit deep and frustrate, while Los Blancos lacked invention in the final third. Dean Huijsen even produced the best chance of the first half, forcing Andriy Lunin into a sharp stop from distance.
After the break, Madrid finally sparked into life. Mbappé showcased his trademark skill, cutting inside before drawing a foul in the box. The referee immediately pointed to the spot, and the French superstar calmly slotted home the penalty to give his side the lead.
From there, Madrid probed for a second goal. Arda Güler came close with a fierce effort, while Mbappé continued to stretch the Osasuna defense. But a second breakthrough never arrived. In the closing minutes, Osasuna were reduced to 10 men after an off-the-ball incident, allowing Alonso’s side to see out the match with relative comfort.
Here’s how GOAL rated Real Madrid’s players on opening night:
Goalkeeper
Andriy Lunin – 7/10
Alert to Osasuna’s rare forays forward. His save from Huijsen in the first half kept Madrid level. A steady and composed display.
Defense
Dani Carvajal – 6/10
Provided width down the right but lacked sharpness in the final ball. Defensively solid, though not overly tested.
Éder Militão – 7/10
Strong in the air and assured in possession. Dealt with Osasuna’s physical presence well.
Antonio Rüdiger – 6.5/10
Brought his usual aggression and physicality, but occasionally overstepped with needless fouls. Still, his leadership at the back was important.
Ferland Mendy – 6/10
Solid defensively, though reluctant to push forward and combine with Vinícius. A quiet performance overall.
Midfield
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 6.5/10
Screened the defense effectively but didn’t offer much in terms of progressive passing. Kept things simple.
Federico Valverde – 6/10
Energetic as always, covering ground and pressing relentlessly. However, he lacked creativity in possession and rarely threatened.
Jude Bellingham – 7/10
Looked Madrid’s brightest midfielder, trying to thread passes through Osasuna’s stubborn lines. Not his most explosive display, but still influential.
Attack
Vinícius Júnior – 6/10
Tried to inject pace and directness, but Osasuna doubled up on him effectively. Flashes of brilliance, but no decisive contribution.
Rodrygo – 5.5/10
Struggled to make an impact before being substituted. Too often drifted out of the game.
Kylian Mbappé – 8/10
(⭐ Man of the Match)
Madrid’s match-winner. Won and converted the decisive penalty with composure. His pace and movement unsettled Osasuna all night, even if Madrid’s overall display was flat.
Substitutes
Arda Güler – 6.5/10
Injected energy and came close with a powerful strike that whistled over the bar. Promising cameo.
Luka Modrić – 6/10
Helped Madrid manage the game in the closing stages with his control and calmness.
Joselu – 6/10
Offered a physical outlet but saw little of the ball late on.
Manager
Xabi Alonso – 7/10
A winning start, but not a convincing one. His team looked sluggish for large periods, relying on individual brilliance rather than fluid collective play. Still, three points and a clean sheet on debut is a solid platform to build on.
Final Verdict
Real Madrid may not have dazzled, but Kylian Mbappé’s decisive moment proved the difference in a tight contest. Xabi Alonso will know his side must improve creatively, but opening-day victories are about results, not performances.
Madrid’s title defense is officially underway—and with Mbappé already decisive, Los Blancos look set to grind out wins even when they’re not at their best.
