Real Madrid kicked off the 2025-26 La Liga campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 home win over Osasuna on 19 August 2025, earning manager Xabi Alonso a successful debut in charge of the first team.
A Tense First Half and a Decisive Moment
The opening 45 minutes saw Real Madrid shut down by Osasuna’s resolute defense. Clear-cut opportunities were rare, though Éder Militão’s long-range strike tested Osasuna’s goalkeeper Sergio Herrera.
Mbappé Steps Up from the Spot
Shortly after the break, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty following a foul by Juan Cruz on Kylian Mbappé. The French forward confidently dispatched it—sending the keeper the wrong way—and broke the deadlock.
Second-Half Pressure, Limited Reward
Despite increased control and several promising moves such as Arda Guler’s effort that narrowly missed the target the home side couldn't add to their lead.
Substitutions and Near Misses
Alonso introduced 18-year-old Franco Mastantuono as a late substitute. The Argentinian midfielder nearly had an immediate impact, but his angled shot was superbly saved by Herrera.
Frustrations Behind the Scenes
With the victory secured, Mbappé acknowledged the game’s difficulty: "Osasuna had a clear plan… We knew it was going to be difficult. We’re happy with the win and going for more."
Context: A Key Win Amid Squad Constraints
Real Madrid’s victory came despite several key absences. Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, and Endrick were sidelined by injury, and Antonio Rüdiger was suspended.
Notably, this result follows their 4–0 semi-final loss to PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup—the final competitive match before Alonso took charge.
0 Comments