Kylian Mbappe has got off to a scoring start in his second season with Real Madrid, leading them to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener.
Mbappe, the leading scorer in his debut with Madrid last season, converted a 51st-minute penalty kick to give the hosts the victory. A nice run by Mbappe through the right side of the area, followed by a neat cutback move, prompted the foul.
The goal gave new coach Xabi Alonso a winning debut 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 Brazil job.
“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.”
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 minute, being loudly cheered by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The 18-year-old had a chance to score in the 89th, but his shot from inside the area was saved by the Osasuna goalkeeper.
Osasuna defender Abel Bretones was sent off in added time with a straight red card for a high arm to block Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.
The game was played on Tuesday night 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 in the United States. Madrid’s attempt to delay their debut even further was denied by the league.
Madrid controlled possession — more than 70 per cent — but French superstar Mbappe 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.
Madrid were runners-up to Barcelona in La Liga last season, while Osasuna finished ninth.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/all-white-on-the-night-for-madrid-in-la-liga-opener-c-19741006
