Kylian Mbappe rescues all three points for Real Madrid against Olympique Marseille despite setbacks

Real Madrid came from a goal down and a man down against Olympique Marseille to start their European campaign with a win, in a performance that reminded of Real Madrid’s history in the competition, but not their early going under Xabi Alonso.

The game started off in regrettable fashion for Alonso, with Dani Carvajal having to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold afer just three minutes. That was a brief interlude before an enthralling game got underway. Franco Mastantuono went close early on, with his driving effort getting him through the backline, but his toe on the ball found only the post. Shortly after, Kylian Mbappe was denied by Geronimo Rulli after nice interplay with Arda Guler.

It was Olympique Marseille who took the lead first though, when Guler was caught sleeping by Mason Greenwood. The ex-Getafe forward drove at the defence, and laid the ball right for Timothy Weah to finish well. Weah worked Thibaut Courtois moments later, but within five minutes Real Madrid were level. Rodrygo Goes cut in from the left, and was brought down by Geoffrey Kondogbia – Mbappe tucked the penalty into the corner.

Both sides then exchanged gilt-edged chances. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang beat Eder Militao after a long ball, but having got clear, hit the side-netting. Mbappe then set up Mastantuono with a seemingly easy chance, but his half-hearted effort found only Rulli. Real Madrid’s press created several chances for them, but Marseille felt comfortable with it, and had their own opportunities playing beyond it.

The second half showed no change in the pattern of the game, with Guler’s effort skimming the bar from distance. At the other end, Aubameyang fired an effort too close to Courtois from the edge of the box. The game entered its final phase with a blow to Real Madrid, as Carvajal got himself sent off for a headbutt on Rulli.

Alonso reacted by putting on Raul Asencio and shifting to a back three, but still had Vinicius Junior (on for Rodrygo), Brahim Diaz (on for Mastantuono) and Mbappe on the pitch – which paid dividends. As Vinicius drove into the box, Facundo Medina timed his challenge perfectly, but his trailing arm came into contact with the ball, and as a result, granted Mbappe a penalty. His chance to give Real Madrid was not missed from the spot, despite Rulli getting two hands to it – his 50th for Real Madrid.

The closing stages provided no rest for Madridistas, as Greenword spurned two more chances that he would have expected to score at the back post. However Marseille found themselves unable to force the issue in the final 17 minutes including stoppage time.

Los Blancos dominated much of the match, with 28 shots (15 on target), and passed up a number of chances. That was the positive for Alonso, but the lack of reliable finishers outside of Mbappe will be concern, as will the injury to Alexander-Arnold. Undoubtedly, the three points is the best news, on a night that threatened to go sideways.