Real Madrid edged out Osasuna 1–0 in their returning fixture at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match, overshadowed by a singular moment of brilliance, saw Kylian Mbappé convert a penalty shortly after the half-time break to seal the three points for Xabi Alonso’s men.
The contest was far from a vintage Real Madrid display. Although they dominated possession—hovering around 70–79%—they struggled to carve through Osasuna’s resolute defensive block. Shots were few, and chances came sporadically, painting a narrative of inefficiency and misfiring creativity in the attacking third.
The breakthrough arrived in the 51st minute when Mbappé was brought down inside the area following a mazy run to the byline. The French forward dusted himself off and slotted home from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
It was a calm, composed finish under pressure, and demonstrated Mbappé’s importance to Real’s forward thrust.
Alonso’s side, however, took more than just the three points. It secured his first league win as Real Madrid manager in emphatic fashion—not through emphatic football, but pragmatic survival. The first half’s tactical truces gave way to second-half intensity, yet even then, opportunities remained sparse.
New signings made their mark in different ways. Alexander-Arnold, Huijsen, and Carreras all started, anchoring a revamped defense alongside Militão. Alonso lauded their composure on debut, noting how they “landed on their feet” amid the pressure cooker of the Bernabéu atmosphere.
Dean Huijsen and Álvaro Carreras, in particular, stood out—not just for their defensive composure but for their progressive contributions. Huijsen accumulated the highest expected threat metric, while Carreras racked up an impressive number of touches, touches in the final third, and helped orchestrate the buildup play.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s home debut was tidy. He offered an assured presence on the right and played a role in the buildup that led to the penalty.
Still, he was withdrawn around the 67th minute and replaced by the returning Dani Carvajal, who received a rapturous ovation upon entrance—highlighting both Carvajal’s enduring rapport with the supporters and the competition brewing for that right-back slot.
Osasuna did little to spark their own riposte. They remained disciplined defensively, frustrating Madrid with their compact structure, but failed to offer any real offensive threat throughout the 90 minutes.
In stoppage time, Abel Bretones received a straight red card for a reckless elbow on Gonzalo García, a moment that added unnecessary late drama to an already cagey affair.
Post-match, Osasuna manager Alessio Lisci questioned the penalty decision, claiming, “It was Mbappé who stepped on Juan,” showing his frustration at the game’s pivotal moment. Meanwhile, Alonso adopted a more measured tone. He acknowledged that while the performance wasn’t flamboyant, the result and the promising debut of his new players offered plenty of encouragement.
From a tactical standpoint, Real Madrid’s ability to control possession was undeniable. Nine of the top ten players in pass completion metrics were from Real; midfielders Brahim Díaz and Tchouaméni seldom misplaced a pass. In attack, Mbappé led in progressive carries and touches in the final third, illustrating how the team’s offensive strategies centered on him.