Real Madrid opened their 2025-26 La Liga season with a narrow 1-0 win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, thanks to a decisive penalty from Kylian Mbappe early in the second half.
Xabi Alonso’s side dominated possession throughout the match, controlling 70% of the ball, but struggled to break down Osasuna’s well-organised defence under their new coach, Alessio Lisci. The decisive moment came in the 51st minute when Mbappe was fouled inside the box by centre-back Juan Cruz, calmly slotting home from the spot to secure all three points for Los Blancos.
Xabi Alonso was urging his players to move the ball quicker as Osasuna sat deep and defended in numbers. Despite Real Madrid’s dominance, they managed only five shots on target, with two coming from long range and one being the match-winning penalty.
The first half saw Real Madrid enjoy as much as 79% possession but fail to convert their dominance into goals, as Mbappe came close twice, first scuffing a shot in the 25th minute before curling an effort just wide nine minutes later. The breakthrough finally arrived after the restart, but Osasuna continued to pose a threat on the counter.
Teenage Argentine signing Franco Mastantuono made his debut in the second half and almost marked it with an assist, delivering a fine cross that Aurélien Tchouaméni headed just wide. The 18-year-old also came close to scoring himself, forcing a save from a tight angle late in the game.
Osasuna’s best chance came in the 85th minute when Ante Budimir fired wide from close range, missing a golden opportunity to equalise. The visitors’ frustration boiled over in stoppage time when Abel Bretones was shown a red card for elbowing Gonzalo Garcia while trying to block his run.
Despite a nervy finish, Alonso’s men held on for a winning start to the season, but the performance suggested there is still work to do as the team adapts to the new coach’s methods.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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