Real Madrid Edges Past Osasuna 1-0 in Xabi Alonso's La Liga Debut

MADRID – Real Madrid began a new era under head coach Xabi Alonso with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over CA Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu, securing three points on the opening day of the 2025-26 La Liga season.

The match, which marked Alonso's official league debut as Los Blancos' coach, was a tense affair, with the decisive goal coming from a Kylian Mbappé penalty in the 51st minute. The Frenchman, who also received a late yellow card, converted from the spot after being fouled in the box by Osasuna's Juan Cruz.2

Despite the narrow scoreline, the win was a welcome relief for a Real Madrid side that entered the season with high expectations but also notable absences. Key players like Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Ferland Mendy were sidelined with injuries, while Antonio Rüdiger served a suspension.3 The match also saw the official debuts of new signings Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras, who helped solidify the backline.4

The game was a tactical battle, with Osasuna, under new coach Alessio Lisci, opting for a five-man defensive setup to thwart Madrid's formidable attack.5 The strategy was largely successful in the first half, as Real Madrid struggled to create clear-cut chances.

A key narrative of the match was the much-anticipated partnership between Vinícius Jr. and Mbappé.6 While the two superstars showed glimpses of their potential, the overall attacking performance was described by some as "shaky" and "anticlimactic," suggesting that Alonso still has work to do to unlock their full chemistry.

Young Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono made his official senior debut for Real Madrid, coming on as a substitute and impressing with his energy and off-the-ball intensity.7 His performance provided a spark for the home side and gave fans a promising look at the club's future.

In the final minutes, Osasuna's hopes of an equalizer were dashed when Abel Bretones was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident with a Real Madrid player.8 The visitors had a late chance through Ante Budimir, but his header went over the bar.

The victory gives Xabi Alonso his first league win at the helm of Real Madrid and provides a solid, if unspectacular, start to their campaign to reclaim the La Liga title from rivals Barcelona. While the performance wasn't a masterclass, the win and the positive signs from new and young players offer a foundation for the season ahead.