Real Madrid launched their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Marseille, thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s clinical finishing from the penalty spot.
The French superstar converted two penalties to overturn an early deficit and give Xabi Alonso’s side a winning start, despite playing the final stages with 10 men.
Los Blancos were struck by misfortune almost immediately when Trent Alexander-Arnold, making his Champions League debut for the club, pulled up after just three minutes with a suspected hamstring injury. The right-back was replaced by Dani Carvajal, who later saw red for a confrontation with Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Marseille capitalised on Real’s shaky opening. In the 22nd minute, Timothy Weah rifled home past Thibaut Courtois after Mason Greenwood dispossessed Arda Guler in midfield. The goal stunned the Bernabeu crowd and put the French side in control.
Real’s response was swift. Just six minutes later, Mbappe calmly slotted home his first penalty after Geoffrey Kondogbia fouled Rodrygo in the area. The equaliser reignited Real’s attacking intent, with Mbappe earlier attempting an audacious bicycle kick that nearly broke the deadlock.
Marseille, however, remained dangerous on the counter. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang twice went close to restoring their lead, first dragging his effort wide before being denied by Courtois’ sharp reflexes.
The match tilted again in the 72nd minute when Carvajal was sent off after a heated altercation with Rulli. The Spaniard appeared to move his head towards the Marseille goalkeeper, leaving Real with 10 men for the closing stages.
Despite the setback, Alonso’s men pressed forward and were rewarded when Facundo Medina handled in the box as he tried to block Vinicius Jr’s surging run. Mbappe stepped up once more, sending Rulli the wrong way with a thunderous strike to make it 2-1.
The French forward now has six goals in five games this season, underlining his role as Real Madrid’s talisman. His composure under pressure proved decisive on a night filled with adversity.
For Alexander-Arnold, the evening ended in disappointment. The England international, who joined from Liverpool in the summer, faces a race against time to be fit for Madrid’s crucial trip to Anfield in November. His absence could be a major blow to Alonso’s defensive plans.
The result gives Real Madrid early momentum as they seek to reclaim Europe’s biggest prize, having fallen to Arsenal in last season’s quarter-finals. Alonso, in his first year at the helm, will be keen to avoid the slip-ups that saw his side finish 11th in last year’s league phase.
Next, Real Madrid travel to Kazakhstan to face Kairat on September 30, while Marseille host Ajax on the same evening. Both fixtures could prove pivotal in shaping the group.
For now, though, it is Mbappe’s brilliance — and Real Madrid’s resilience — that sets the tone for their European journey.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members