Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid debut goal was the difference on Tuesday night as Los Blancos began their 2025-26 La Liga campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over a stubborn Osasuna side at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The highly anticipated debut of the French superstar lived up to expectations, even if the match itself lacked rhythm and excitement. Mbappé’s penalty in the 51st minute was enough to seal all three points and give Real Madrid a positive start to the new season.
✨ A Debut Goal for the New Number 10
The spotlight was firmly on Kylian Mbappé, who made his first official appearance for Real Madrid following his blockbuster summer transfer from Paris Saint-Germain. Wearing the No. 10 shirt, Mbappé looked lively throughout the match. His Real Madrid debut goal came after he was brought down in the box by Juan Cruz. Mbappé stepped up with confidence and sent Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera the wrong way to open his Real Madrid account.
This Kylian Mbappé Real Madrid debut goal was also his first touch of La Liga magic, instantly winning over fans at the Bernabéu who had been waiting years to see the Frenchman in white.
🕹️ A Slow Start, but Real Madrid Controls the Match
Xabi Alonso’s team struggled to break down a compact and ultra-defensive Osasuna setup. The visitors had just 28% possession and failed to register a single shot on target. Despite this dominance, Madrid was sluggish in the first half and only showed real threat through long-range efforts from Dean Huijsen and Éder Militão, and two off-target strikes by Mbappé (25th and 36th minutes).
The second half saw a slight increase in intensity. Madrid capitalized on a rare defensive lapse from Osasuna, leading to the penalty converted by Mbappé. After taking the lead, Madrid managed the game professionally, though they failed to add a second goal despite good opportunities from Aurélien Tchouaméni (73’) and substitute Franco Mastantuono (89’).
💡 Mbappé’s Influence Already Felt
Beyond scoring the winning goal, Mbappé impressed with his movement, quick feet, and moments of brilliance. A particular highlight came in the 66th minute when he pulled off a smooth roulette through a group of four defenders, showing exactly why Madrid were desperate to sign him.
His chemistry with teammates like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. will be one of the keys to Madrid’s title challenge. While Rodrygo did not feature amid transfer speculation, the trio of Mbappé, Bellingham, and Vinícius already looks promising.
🟥 Late Drama and Emotional Returns
The match saw the emotional return of Dani Carvajal, who came off the bench for the first time in nearly a year after recovering from a serious knee injury. Franco Mastantuono, Real Madrid’s 18-year-old Argentine prodigy, also made his debut.
Osasuna’s night ended on a sour note as Abel Bretones was shown a red card in stoppage time for a reckless challenge on Gonzalo Garcia. It summed up a frustrating evening for the visitors, who barely threatened the Madrid goal.
✅ Final Score: Real Madrid 1–0 Osasuna
Goalscorer: Kylian Mbappé (penalty, 51’)
