Kylian Mbappé’s second-half penalty proved decisive as Real Madrid edged past a resolute Osasuna side 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu in their opening La Liga fixture of the season. The result marked a successful, albeit hard-earned, debut for Xabi Alonso in his first league match as head coach of Los Blancos. While the scoreline may suggest a routine win, the match itself was anything but straightforward. Real Madrid were made to work for every inch of space, every opportunity, and ultimately, every point, as Osasuna arrived with a clear tactical blueprint: frustrate, absorb, and counter.
The first half was a textbook example of defensive discipline from the visitors. Osasuna, well aware of the attacking firepower Madrid possessed, especially with Mbappé leading the line, set up in a compact low block that left little room for creativity. Alonso’s men dominated possession, stringing together intricate passing sequences and probing for openings, but the final ball often lacked precision. The midfield trio, missing the injured Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, struggled to inject the kind of dynamism needed to break down a team so committed to defending deep. Éder Militão came closest to scoring in the first half with a thunderous long-range effort that forced Sergio Herrera into a sprawling save, but otherwise, Real’s chances were limited to speculative efforts from distance.
Mbappé, who had been largely contained in the first 45 minutes, came alive after the break. Just six minutes into the second half, he drew a foul from Juan Cruz inside the box—a moment of individual brilliance that turned the tide of the match. The French forward stepped up to take the penalty himself, coolly sending Herrera the wrong way and slotting the ball into the bottom corner. It was a moment of relief for the home crowd and a vindication of Alonso’s tactical patience. The goal not only broke the deadlock but also forced Osasuna to abandon their conservative approach, opening up the game in ways that had previously seemed impossible.
With the lead secured, Real Madrid began to play with more freedom and urgency. Arda Güler, who had been relatively quiet in the first half, started to find pockets of space and tested Herrera with a curling effort from outside the box that narrowly missed the target. Alonso made a series of substitutions to inject fresh energy, including handing a debut to 18-year-old Argentinian midfielder Franco Mastantuono. The youngster nearly made an instant impact, latching onto a loose ball and firing a shot from a tight angle that Herrera did well to parry at his near post. Mastantuono’s cameo was brief but promising, offering a glimpse of the talent that Madrid fans hope will blossom under Alonso’s stewardship.
Despite Real’s dominance, Osasuna nearly snatched an equaliser late in the game. Ante Budimir, who had been isolated for much of the match, found himself unmarked inside the six-yard box but failed to keep his header down, sending it over the bar. It was a golden opportunity and a stark reminder that even in matches where one team controls the tempo, the margin for error remains razor-thin. Osasuna’s hopes of a late comeback were dashed in stoppage time when Abel Bretones was shown a red card for an off-the-ball foul on Gonzalo García, capping off a frustrating evening for the visitors.
Mbappé, speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, acknowledged the difficulty of the encounter. “In the first half we didn’t have space and then in the second half we scored early,” he said. “We had more chances and we had more control, we expected to score the second but it didn’t come.” His words reflected the broader sentiment within the squad: satisfaction with the result, tempered by recognition that improvement is needed. The victory was crucial, especially with Barcelona having dispatched Mallorca 3-0 in their own opener. Dropping points at home would have immediately put Real on the back foot in the title race, and Alonso knew it.
The match also highlighted the depth and resilience of Real Madrid’s squad. With key players like Bellingham, Mendy, Camavinga, and Endrick sidelined due to injury, and Antonio Rüdiger serving a suspension, Alonso was forced to rely on a mix of seasoned veterans and new signings. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras all started in defense, and while there were moments of miscommunication, the back line held firm. Alexander-Arnold, in particular, showed glimpses of his trademark crossing ability, though Osasuna’s deep defensive line limited his opportunities to get forward.
Alonso’s tactical approach was pragmatic. He resisted the temptation to overload the attack early on, instead trusting his players to wear down Osasuna’s resistance through patient buildup. The decision to introduce Mastantuono late in the game was a calculated risk, one that nearly paid off. It also sent a message: under Alonso, youth will be given a chance, but only when the moment is right. The former midfield maestro, known for his cerebral style of play during his own career, appears to be bringing that same measured intelligence to his managerial role.
For Osasuna, the match was a lesson in the fine margins of top-flight football. Their defensive organisation was commendable, and for long stretches, they succeeded in neutralising one of the most potent attacking units in Europe. But football is often decided by moments, and Juan Cruz’s foul on Mbappé was one such moment. It was a lapse in judgment that undid an hour’s worth of disciplined defending and ultimately cost his team a valuable point. Manager Jagoba Arrasate will take some positives from the performance, particularly the way his side responded after going behind, but the lack of cutting edge in the final third remains a concern.
As the final whistle blew, there was a palpable sense of relief among the Madrid faithful. The win may not have been emphatic, but it was a win nonetheless—a foundation upon which Alonso can build. The road ahead is long, and the challenges will only intensify, but for now, Real Madrid are off the mark, and their new manager has his first taste of La Liga success. The next few weeks will be crucial as injured players return and the squad begins to gel. Alonso will be keen to establish a clear identity, one that blends the club’s rich history with his own vision for the future.
In many ways, this match encapsulated the essence of early-season football: rustiness, tactical experimentation, and flashes of brilliance. Mbappé’s goal was the difference, but the story of the game was written in the details—the debut of a teenage prodigy, the resilience of a depleted squad, and the quiet authority of a manager finding his feet. Real Madrid may not have dazzled, but they did enough. And in a league where every point counts, sometimes enough is all you need.
