Real Madrid 2-1 Marseille: Mbappe brace secure victory for 10-men Blancos

Two Kylian Mbappé penalties earned Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille in their first league phase match of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign, continuing Los Blancos' perfect record against Les Olympiens.

Match Report

The hosts got off to a bright start with Mbappé sending an acrobatic attempt wide, but there was also disappointment when Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off injured. They still didn’t slow down at all, as by the 10th minute they had seen Franco Mastantuono hit the post and two Rodrygo efforts saved by Gerónimo Rulli, who then came out and spread himself brilliantly to deny Mbappé. There was a reminder of Les Olympiens’ threat, though, as Timothy Weah came agonisingly close to picking out the top corner.

Marseille then stunned the Santiago Bernabéu in the 22nd minute, when Mason Greenwood pickpocketed Arda Güler and teed up Weah for the wideman to fire past Thibaut Courtois. Weah forced Courtois into action with a driven strike from range shortly after, but Geoffrey Kondogbia offered Real the opportunity for a swift equaliser when he dangled out a leg to foul Rodrygo and concede a penalty that Mbappé clinically converted. Rodrygo soon came close with a curling attempt, and Rulli tipped an Aurélien Tchouaméni strike over the crossbar, before Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the side netting at the other end. Rulli also made vital stops to deny Mbappé and Mastantuono before the break.

Los Blancos re-emerged from HT on the front foot, and Mbappé’s shot deflected onto the crossbar by an outstretched boot from Aubameyang, who then tested Courtois with a powerful strike at the other end. There was a lull after that period, and Real’s cause wasn’t helped by Dani Carvajal petulantly getting himself sent off in the 72nd minute for headbutting Rulli. There was an even bigger disaster for Marseille, though, as Facundo Medina handled the ball while challenging Vinícius Júnior to concede another penalty, which Mbappé just about snuck through Rulli’s grasp.

Late on, Greenwood had one attempt denied by Courtois and sent another comfortably over the crossbar, as Real Madrid successfully translated their perfect start in LaLiga to the UCL. In contrast, the disappointment of a defeat on the road is becoming familiar for Marseille, who have also lost away against Stade Rennais and Olympique Lyonnais this term.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

2' Mbappe fires in a powerful shot at goal that flies just wide of the right post

5' Trent Alexander-Arnold suffers an injury and Daniel Carvajal comes on

7' Mastantuono pulls the trigger but sends the ball onto the right post

10' Mbappe weaves through the defence but his strike is saved

14' Weah's shot from the edge of the penalty area goes narrowly over the bar

15' Guler gets a Rodrygo pass and unleashes a shot but it is saved

20' Mbappe is down on the edge of the box but the ref takes no action

22' GOAL! Weah fire a shot into the middle of the net! Real Madrid 0-1 Marseille

28' Penalty Goal! Mbappé makes no mistake and equalizes! Real Madrid 1-1 Marseille

34' Tchouameni fires towards the top of the goal but Rulli makes a decent save

35' Marseille appeals for a penalty but the ref takes no action

40' Aubameyang controls a rebound inside the box but his shot flies wide

49' Mastantuono wastes a huge chance as he fires a shot which is saved

49' Mbappe attempts a lob but the effort crashes off the crossbar

54' Mbappe collects a pass and unleashes a shot which is blocked by defender

57' Aubameyang's attempt goes towards the left-hand post but Courtois makes a save

63' Brahim Diaz and Vini Jr on, Mastantuono and Rodrygo off

72' Dani Carvajal is given a straight red for a headbutt!

82' Penalty Goal! Real Madrid 2-1 Marseille

94' Highlight from Real Madrid vs Marseille

Line-ups

Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Mbappe, Valverde, Militao, Tchouameni, Rodrygo, Güler, Álvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Franco Mastantuono

Subs: Alaba, Carvajal, Ceballos, Brahim, Lunin, Fran García, Vinicius, Camavinga, Bellingham, Gonzalo García, Raúl Asencio, Fran González

Marseille XI: Aubameyang, Gerónimo Rulli, Kondogbia, Emerson, Hojbjerg, Pavard, Facundo Medina, Timothy Weah, Matt O'Riley, Balerdi, Greenwood

Subs: M. Murillo, Jeffrey de Lange, Angel Gomes, Gouiri, Igor Paixão, CJ Egan-Riley, Jelle Van Neck, Bilal Nadir, Arthur Vermeeren, Robinio Vaz, Darryl Bakola