Real Madrid opened their La Liga campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna, thanks to a second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappé. It was enough to hand new coach Xabi Alonso his first league win in charge, but the performance left plenty of questions about the team’s sharpness and attacking rhythm.
Tradition was upheld at the Santiago Bernabéu as Madrid extended their remarkable record of going 16 straight seasons without losing the opening match of the league campaign. The victory also stretched their unbeaten home run against Osasuna to 21 games. Yet for all the positives in the result, Real fans saw a side that is still searching for fluency.
Alonso’s Tactical Approach
Lining up in his preferred 4-3-3 formation, Alonso opted to give Brahim Díaz a start ahead of Rodrygo on the right wing. In midfield, Arda Güler joined Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde, while new Brazilian signing Mastantuono was introduced later from the bench. The system gave Madrid stability but very little attacking edge.
For most of the first half, Real struggled to break down Osasuna’s well-organised defense. The visitors sat deep, defended compactly, and relied on Boyomo’s timely clearances to frustrate the home side. Vinícius Jr. was the most active forward, constantly probing on the left flank, but his attempts to draw fouls and win penalties did not succeed.
The opening 45 minutes offered few highlights. In the 27th minute, Vinícius cut inside and pulled a pass back to Mbappé, but the Frenchman’s shot lacked power. Eight minutes later, Brahim whipped in a cross that Valverde flicked on with his head. Boyomo cleared, but the loose ball fell to Mbappé, who improvised a shot that whistled narrowly past Sergio Herrera’s post.
Mbappé Decides It from the Spot
The breakthrough came just after the restart. In the 51st minute, Mbappé darted into the penalty area and was brought down by Juan Cruz. The Osasuna defender complained, but replays showed clear contact. Cruz slid in late, missing the ball and catching Mbappé’s legs.
From the spot, Mbappé kept his composure and slotted calmly past Herrera to give Madrid the lead. It was a moment of relief for Alonso, who had seen his side look toothless in open play for most of the contest.
Mbappe with Real Madrids first goal of the season pic.twitter.com/8DAus9IDFG
— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) August 19, 2025
After the goal, the match returned to its earlier rhythm. Real Madrid held the ball, Osasuna defended, and genuine chances were scarce. Mastantuono was introduced for his La Liga debut with 20 minutes left, but the teenager from Brazil found it difficult to make an impact against Osasuna’s disciplined back line.
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Concerns Beneath the Victory
For Alonso, the win was welcome, but the performance suggested Madrid are still far from their peak. This was already evident during the FIFA Club World Cup earlier in the summer, where Real showed moments of inconsistency despite lifting the trophy.
The lack of creativity in midfield and the dependence on Mbappé’s individual brilliance were glaring. Vinícius tried relentlessly but too often ran into traffic. Brahim had flashes but lacked the final touch. Even with a talent like Valverde covering ground and Tchouaméni shielding the back line, Madrid found themselves predictable.
Osasuna, to their credit, executed their game plan with discipline. They frustrated Madrid, denied them space, and looked comfortable until the penalty shifted the balance. Boyomo in particular stood out for his defensive awareness and ability to block danger inside the box.
Elsewhere in La Liga – Matchday 1
Madrid’s narrow win capped off the opening round of La Liga fixtures, which produced surprises across Spain. Barcelona began strongly with a 3-0 victory away to Mallorca, with Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and teenage star Lamine Yamal on the scoresheet. Atlético Madrid slipped, however, losing 2-1 to Espanyol in a shock result.
Athletic Bilbao edged Sevilla 3-2 in one of the weekend’s most entertaining games, while Villarreal secured a comfortable 2-0 win over Oviedo. Girona stunned Rayo Vallecano with a 3-1 triumph, and Alavés snatched a late winner against Levante. Valencia and Real Sociedad shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, and Elche rescued a point at home to Real Betis.
For Real Madrid, the three points against Osasuna mattered most. But the way they earned them suggests that Alonso’s project is still in its early stages. The Bernabéu faithful will expect improvements soon, because in La Liga, winning alone is never enough — it’s about how you win.
FIRST MATCHDAY DONE.
These are the standings. #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/3YiVqOujEV
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) August 19, 2025
