Real Madrid kickstarted their 2025/26 La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win over Osasuna as Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal from the penalty spot.
While Los Blancos were better than their visitors in all the key metrics, Osasuna were defensively resolute until the 51st minute when Juan Cruz gifted a penalty to the hosts after bringing down Mbappe in the box.
At first, it seemed like a legitimate call, as Mbappe stepped up to score from the spot. However, questions on whether it was a clear penalty or not flashed up in the post game analysis.
Osasuna boss Alessio Lisci slammed the match referee - and questioned VAR officials for not checking the penalty call - as replays highlighted Mbappe stepping on Cruz first, before going down.
"I thought it was a clear penalty in person, but looking at it closely, you have to analyse whether Mbappe first steps on Juan or whether Juan hit Mbappe with his right foot. It seems to me that Mbappe first hooked Juan. So, it's not a penalty," Lisci told Diario AS.
Osasuna frustration was deepened by a late red card for Abel Bretones and they criticized both calls on their official X account.
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What did Xabi Alonso say after Osasuna win?
Following the win, Alonso hailed new signings as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen - who made their La Liga debuts as starters - with Franco Mastantuono making a late cameo from the bench.
Foto: Divulgação/Real Madrid
"[The new signings] were good, everyone has landed on their feet, " Alonso told Real Madrid TV.
"Those who played at the Club World Cup, and Franco [Mastantuono], who made his debut today, are players we'll have here for years. Neither the shirt nor playing at the Bernabeu weighed on them."
"They did well, maybe not spectacular, but they were serious. There was no mistakes or nerves.
"There are positives, starting with the result. After two weeks of training, against a team that had a longer preseason, some things were missing. There were good things, and other things to improve. It's a long road."
Despite Real Madrid coming out as winners against Osasuna, some fans were critical based on their high expectations of Alonso, after ending last season without a trophy under Carlo Ancelotti.
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