Kylian Mbappe struck twice from the penalty spot as Real Madrid launched their Champions League campaign with a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Olympique Marseille on Tuesday.
Timothy Weah had fired the French visitors ahead midway through the first half after Mason Greenwood dispossessed Arda Güler and teed him up for a powerful finish past Thibaut Courtois. Mbappe drew Madrid level shortly after, converting from the spot when Geoffrey Kondogbia fouled Rodrygo Goes.
The night turned sour for the hosts when Dani Carvajal was sent off for headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, leaving Xabi Alonso’s side with 10 men for a second straight match. Yet fortune swung back Madrid’s way as Facundo Medina was harshly penalised for handball in the closing stages, allowing Mbappe to bury his second penalty and seal victory.
Alonso, taking charge of his first European match as Madrid coach, saw Trent Alexander-Arnold limp off injured inside three minutes, while Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham both started on the bench. Eighteen-year-old Franco Mastantuono came close to a debut goal, rattling the post in the first half.
Marseille, under Roberto De Zerbi, pressed hard after the break with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang threatening twice, but Courtois stood firm. Ultimately, Mbappe’s clinical finishing preserved Madrid’s perfect start to the season and their pursuit of a record-extending 16th European crown.
