England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold made his long-awaited La Liga debut on Sunday as Real Madrid opened their campaign with a hard-fought win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The summer signing from Liverpool had already featured five times at the FIFA Club World Cup, where Madrid reached the semi-finals under new boss Xabi Alonso. But this was his first taste of league football in Spain, and the Bernabéu crowd showed their appreciation with a standing ovation when he was substituted for Dani Carvajal in the 68th minute.
Kylian Mbappé scored the decisive goal from the penalty spot, coolly sending goalkeeper Sergio Herrera the wrong way after being fouled inside the box.
Madrid, runners-up last season under Carlo Ancelotti, dominated the game and created several chances to extend their lead. Dean Huijsen—making his own league debut after joining from Bournemouth—and Eder Militao both tested Herrera with powerful long-range efforts.
It was also a night of debuts for £43m left-back Álvaro Carreras from Benfica and highly rated Argentine teenager Franco Mastantuono, a £38.5m signing from River Plate.
Osasuna offered little going forward and ended the match with 10 men after Abel Bretones was shown a red card in stoppage time for a late challenge on Gonçalo Garcia.
