Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Marseille in their UEFA Champions League opener, fueled by two decisive penalties from Kylian Mbappé. The Spanish giants, reduced to 10 men after Dani Carvajal was sent off in the 68th minute, showcased resilience to overcome early setbacks and claim the win.
The match began with a shock as Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a hamstring injury just three minutes in, forcing Dani Carvajal into the starting lineup. However, Carvajal’s red card shortly before halftime disrupted Real’s momentum. Marseille took the lead in the 22nd minute through Timothy Weah, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to strike a powerful shot past Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid responded swiftly, with Mbappé equalizing in the 28th minute after Geoffrey Kondogbia fouled Rodrygo. The French forward then sealed the win in the 74th minute, converting a penalty after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to capitalize on two close chances. Aubameyang’s efforts were thwarted by Courtois, who made crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Manager Xabi Alonso, in his debut campaign, emphasized the importance of this win as Real aim to reclaim their European dominance after a disappointing 2022-23 season, during which they were eliminated by Arsenal in the quarter-finals. The club also seeks to improve on their league performance, finishing 11th last term and requiring play-offs to reach the knockout stages.
For Alexander-Arnold, the night was a bitter disappointment. The England full-back, who joined Real from Liverpool last summer, limped off in the fifth minute and will face uncertainty over his availability for the upcoming match against his former club. His absence leaves Real’s defense vulnerable, especially with Carvajal’s red card further complicating matters.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid will next face Kairat in Kazakhstan on 30 September, while Marseille will host Ajax on the same night. The result marks a promising start for Los Blancos, though challenges remain as they navigate the demanding Champions League group stage.
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