Mbappé Real Madrid win dominated the Champions League opener, as the French striker scored two decisive penalties to seal a 2-1 victory against Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite going down to 10 men after Dani Carvajal’s red card, Madrid showed resilience and secured a vital three points in their group-stage debut.
The match started dramatically, with Trent Alexander-Arnold forced off in the opening minutes due to a suspected hamstring injury. Carvajal stepped in early, but his night later ended in controversy.
Mbappé Real Madrid Win Highlights
Kylian Mbappé nearly produced a spectacular opener with a bicycle kick that narrowly missed the target. Marseille struck first in the 22nd minute when Timothy Weah capitalized on a midfield error from Arda Guler, smashing a shot past Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid responded quickly. Just six minutes later, Geoffrey Kondogbia fouled Rodrygo in the box, allowing Mbappé to equalize from the spot and bring the Bernabéu crowd back to life.
Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli was exceptional, pulling off a string of world-class saves to deny Madrid’s relentless attack. However, Mbappé refused to be kept out of the spotlight.
Mbappé Responds for Real Madrid
Despite the setback, Real Madrid quickly equalized. Marseille’s Geoffrey Kondogbia fouled Rodrygo in the box, gifting Madrid a penalty. Mbappé stepped up with composure, firing home to level the score.
Marseille’s goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli kept the visitors in contention with a string of remarkable saves, including a close-range stop from Mbappé that left the Bernabéu crowd in disbelief.
Carvajal’s Red Card and Late Drama
The intensity escalated in the second half. In the 72nd minute, Carvajal was shown a straight red card for head-butting Rulli during a heated altercation, leaving Madrid with ten men.
Still, the home side refused to crumble. In the 81st minute, substitute Vinícius Júnior made a driving run into the box. His effort deflected off Facundo Medina’s boot, striking the defender’s outstretched arm. The referee pointed to the spot, and Mbappé confidently converted his second penalty of the night.
After the match, Mbappé told Movistar Plus:
“It was a difficult night, because we were down to 10 men, but we showed our Champions League spirit. We know we can win here against anyone.”
A Strong Start for Real Madrid
The 15-time European champions once again demonstrated their resilience, a hallmark of their Champions League dominance. With Mbappé leading the charge, Madrid begin their group-stage journey with momentum despite the challenges.
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