Real Madrid began their La Liga campaign with a win as a second-half Kylian Mbappe penalty against Osasuna ushered in the Xabi Alonso era at the Bernabeu.
Mbappe, last season’s top scorer in the league, picked up where he left off when he won and then converted the spot-kick in a game that, despite the close scoreline, Los Blancos were rarely troubled.
Alonso handed league debuts to summer signings Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras and for much of the first half Madrid dominated proceedings.
But in Osasuna, Los Blancos met a side resolute in defence. Despite the lion’s share of possession and attacking intent, the hosts could not seem to find the breakthrough.
Madrid’s best chance of the half came from an unlikely source. Defender Eder Militao let fly from 35-yards out but his fierce strike was well saved by keeper Sergio Herrera.
The history books, however, pointed firmly in Real’s favour. Not for 16 season have they tasted defeat on in their opening league game, nor have they been toppled by Osasuna in their last 20 LaLiga meetings.
And so it felt like a case of normality being resumed when, five minutes after the break, Mbappe was brought down in the box by Juan Cruz after the pacey forward had bamboozled the defender.
The Frenchman picked himself up to dispatch the penalty and give his side a deserved lead.
Just over 10 minutes later, it was nearly two when a fine Arda Guler strike from 22 yards zipped just over the crossbar.
But Osasuna, who had offered very little going forward all game, went close to snatching an equaliser late on when dangerman Ante Budimir nodded the ball just over the bar on 85 minutes.
Frustration from the visitors eventually boiled over deep into stoppage time when Abel Bretones raised an arm and pushed a forearm in the direction of Madrid substitute Gonzalo Garcia.
The action prompted referee Adrian Cordero to brandish a straight red card as Madrid deservedly claimed all three points.
