Real Madrid kicked off their 2025/26 LaLiga season in style with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over CA Osasuna at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night. Xabi Alonso’s side made it 21 games unbeaten in LaLiga, continuing their dominance on opening day fixtures.
Despite missing key players like Antonio RĂĽdiger (suspended) and the injured trio of Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, and Endrick, Madrid showed resilience in front of their home fans. The victory was crucial after rivals Barcelona sealed an opening-day win against Mallorca.
First-Half Frustrations: Possession Without Penetration
The match began with Real Madrid dictating play. In just three minutes, Los Blancos completed 54 passes compared to Osasuna’s six, highlighting the gulf in class. The visitors sat deep with a back five, while Madrid kept probing with intricate passing.
Chances were limited, however. A dazzling run from Kylian MbappĂ© ended in a crunching tackle by Enzo Boyomo, while long-range efforts from Dean Huijsen and Éder MilitĂŁo were comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Sergio Herrera. With 79% possession, Madrid dominated the ball but couldn’t find the finishing touch. VinĂcius Jr.’s wayward shot in the 38th minute summed up a frustrating first half.
Mbappé’s Moment: The Decisive Penalty
Osasuna came out stronger in the second half, briefly unsettling Madrid’s rhythm. But in the 50th minute, Juan Cruz’s clumsy foul on Mbappé handed the French superstar a penalty. Calm and clinical, Mbappé slotted home, sending Herrera the wrong way and putting Madrid 1-0 up.
The goal opened the game. Huijsen was impressed by surging forward from defence, while Osasuna created a rare golden chance in the 63rd minute through Abel Bretones, only to be denied.
Osasuna’s Fightback Falls Short
Despite conceding, Osasuna refused to sit back. Former Real Madrid player Victor Muñoz led a spirited fight, pushing the visitors to test Madrid’s backline. With eight minutes left, Los Rojillos still had hope of an equaliser.
But their chances evaporated in stoppage time when they were reduced to 10 men, leaving Madrid to calmly see out the win. The result means Real Madrid have now gone 17 straight seasons unbeaten on LaLiga’s opening day (W12, D5).
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Final Thoughts
Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Osasuna wasn’t a classic, but it was a statement of intent. Mbappé’s penalty showed why Los Blancos broke the bank for him, while Alonso’s tactical control proved Madrid can grind out results even when key players are absent.
For Osasuna, their spirited showing will encourage fans despite the defeat, but it underlined the gulf between mid-table battlers and title contenders.
As the season unfolds, Tanzanian fans can expect more drama, goals, and thrilling moments from LaLiga—and with Bangbet News, every game becomes an opportunity.
