Kylian Mbappe penalty earns Real Madrid win over Osasuna
Kylian Mbappe's second-half penalty earned Real Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 home victory over Osasuna in their opening LaLiga game of the season, giving Xabi Alonso a winning start in his first league match in charge of Los Merengues.
After struggling to break down a stubborn Osasuna defence in the opening half, Mbappe won the penalty and converted from the spot six minutes after the break to give Madrid the lead, but the home side was unable to increase its advantage.
The visitor had Abel Bretones sent off in added time for a foul off the ball on Gonzalo Garcia as Alonso's side got its league campaign off to a winning, but underwhelming start as it looks to wrestle back the league title from Barcelona.
Alonso's side, whose last competitive game ended in a 4-0 defeat to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals, completely dominated against a visiting side clearly content to sit back and perhaps come away with a draw, which they almost managed.
Madrid enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening 45 minutes with lots of slick passing, but its only real chances came through shots from distance, with Eder Militao's powerful strike forcing Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera into a decent save.
All Osasuna's defensive work was undone shortly after the break when a foul by Juan Cruz on Mbappe was punished with a penalty, and the France star stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way as the host finally found the net.
The goal forced Osasuna out of its shell somewhat, while Madrid pushed to find a second goal to kill the game off, with Arda Guler unleashing a shot from outside the area which zipped just over the bar.
Alonso, who started the game with three of the club's new signings - Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras - in his back four, then sent on 18 year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono for his debut.
Mastantuono almost made an immediate impact, with his effort from a wide angle saved by Herrera at his near post. Minutes earlier, Osasuna had a chance to snatch what would have been an undeserved equaliser but Ante Budimir headed over from inside the six-yard box.
With Barcelona beating Mallorca 3-0 in its opening game, three points were already a must for Alonso, and he did it without the injured Jude Bellingham, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga and Endrick, as well as the suspended Antonio Ruediger.
