Jul 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Real Madrid CF forward Kylian Mbappe (9) looks dejected after Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz (8) scores their third goal during a semifinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lee Smith-Reuters via Imagn Images

soccer

Mbappe proves decisive in season opener as Xabi says “Job Done”

Real Madrid began their La Liga campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, thanks to a decisive penalty from Kylian Mbappe. While the result delivered three points, the performance left room for improvement.

😍 ¡Qué ganas teníamos de veros, Madridistas! pic.twitter.com/ftXtyAfEHH
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) August 19, 2025

The opening half-hour was frustrating for Madrid, who failed to create clear chances despite dominating possession. Mbappe had an early penalty appeal waved away and later saw a curling effort drift just wide, but Osasuna remained compact and disciplined. From the sidelines, Xabi Alonso could be heard urging his side to move the ball forward quicker, yet the visitors managed to frustrate their hosts and went into the break level.

Kylian Mbappe makes the difference

Just five minutes after the restart, though, the breakthrough arrived. A reckless challenge from Juan Cruz felled Mbappé inside the area, and the Frenchman stepped up to calmly slot home the resulting penalty. It was a moment of quality that lifted the Bernabéu and gave Madrid the breathing space they had been searching for.

Osasuna responded by pushing higher and looking for an equaliser, their best chance coming from a corner. But as they opened up, Madrid found more space on the counter, with teenager Franco Mastantuono catching the eye on his debut. The Argentine midfielder grew in confidence after moving to the left flank, even taking set-pieces and nearly profiting from an Aurélien Tchouaméni header to grab a goal of his own.

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At the back, Dean Huijsen stood out with a composed performance. The Spain international was assured in possession, strong in his clearances and even threatened going forward, marking a promising league debut for the 19-year-old. Meanwhile, Vinícius Junior endured a quieter night, largely contained by Flavien Boyomo, who impressed with his discipline and timing in defence.

A late red card for Abel added further tension, but Madrid held firm to see out the result. It was not the most convincing of victories, but with Mbappe already making decisive contributions and young talents stepping onto the stage, Alonso will take encouragement as his side looks to build rhythm in the coming weeks.