Real Madrid Kicks Off New La Liga Season with a Gritty Win Over Osasuna
The highly anticipated 2025-26 La Liga season began with a tense but ultimately successful match for Real Madrid. In the opening fixture at the newly renovated Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid vs Osasuna was a tight affair, with Los Blancos securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory thanks to a second-half penalty from star forward Kylian Mbappé.
The win marked a new era for the club, as it was the official managerial debut of former player Xabi Alonso, who took the reins with the goal of reclaiming the league title.
A Tale of Two Halves: Dominance and a Defensive Stand
Real Madrid controlled the match from the first whistle, dominating possession and pinning Osasuna back into their own half. With an impressive 79% possession in the first 45 minutes, Xabi Alonso’s side worked to break down a compact and disciplined Osasuna defense. However, despite the constant pressure, the visitors held firm, frustrating the home team’s star-studded attack.
The likes of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham found space hard to come by, and Real Madrid went into the halftime break with the score locked at 0-0. The match was a testament to Osasuna’s organized and determined defensive unit, which made Real Madrid work for every inch.
Mbappé Breaks the Deadlock with a Crucial Penalty
The decisive moment came early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Kylian Mbappé, who had been a constant threat, was brought down in the box by Osasuna’s defender Juan Cruz, earning a clear penalty. The referee pointed to the spot, much to the protest of the Osasuna players and their coach, Lisci, who was booked for his complaints.
Stepping up to take the penalty, Mbappé calmly slotted the ball home, sending the Bernabéu into a frenzy and securing what would be the only goal of the match. The goal was a perfect way for the star Frenchman to open his league scoring account for the new season.
New Faces and Tactical Insights
Beyond the scoreline, the match provided a glimpse into Xabi Alonso’s vision for the team. His side displayed a fluid, possession-based style, even if they struggled at times to convert their dominance into goals. The match also saw the debut of 18-year-old talent Franco Mastantuono, a new signing who showed flashes of his potential after coming on as a substitute.
While not their most free-flowing performance, the victory against a resilient opponent is exactly the kind of result a title contender needs. It was a solid, if unspectacular, start to the campaign and a valuable three points that set the tone for the rest of the season.