Carvajal sent off, Mbappe rescues Real Madrid in Champions League opener

Real Madrid lost a player because Carvajal received a red card, but Kylian Mbappe shone brightly with two penalties, bringing a 2-1 victory over Marseille in the opening match of the Champions League.

Real Madrid kick off their 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign with a tense encounter against Marseille at the Santiago Bernabeu. What seemed like an easy opening match turned out to be a test of the mettle of coach Xabi Alonso and his team.

Away team Marseille created a surprise when Timothy Weah punished Guler's mistake of Real Madrid, scoring the opening goal in the 22nd minute.

Mbappe scored twice from the penalty spot - Photo: UEFA

The silence that enveloped the Bernabeu stadium only lasted a few minutes, before Kylian Mbappe spoke up in the 27th minute. From a situation where Geoffrey Kondogbia fouled in the penalty area, the French striker coolly defeated goalkeeper Rulli, equalizing 1-1.

The second half saw major events. Real Madrid were at a disadvantage when Daniel Carvajal was sent off in the 72nd minute after VAR intervention. With one man down, Los Blancos were forced to defend tightly, while Marseille pressed for a goal.

However, the superstar class once again saved Real. In the 80th minute, the ball touched Facundo Medina's hand in the penalty area and Mbappe made no mistake, completing his double from the penalty spot, putting Real ahead 2-1.

In the final minutes, Marseille went all out on the attack. Greenwood and Paixao repeatedly tested Courtois, but the Belgian goalkeeper and his resilient defense kept the score level.

Mbappe is in good form for Los Blancos - Photo: UEFA

This thrilling victory not only brought home 3 full points, but also affirmed that coach Xabi Alonso and his team still have enough courage and strength to conquer Europe, even when having to overcome countless challenges.

As for Mbappe personally, he achieved an impressive number with Real Madrid when he reached the 50-goal mark (64 matches) the second fastest in Real Madrid history after Cristiano Ronaldo (50 goals/54 matches). This is his 6th goal in 5 matches this season.

Score:

Real Madrid: Mbappe (29' - pen, 81' - pen)

Marseille: Timothy Weah (22')

Red card: Carvajal (72')

Starting lineup:

Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Tchouameni, Mastantuono, Guler, Rodrygo, Mbappe

Marseille: Rulli, Medina, Balerdi, Pavard, Emerson, Kondogbia, Hojbjerg, Greenwood, O'Riley, Weah, Aubameyang

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ket-qua-bong-da-real-madrid-vs-marseille-cup-c1-2025-26-2442983.html