Kylian Mbappé converted two penalties to secure Real Madrid a 2-1 victory against Marseille in their Champions League group-stage opener despite playing the final stages with 10 men after their captain, Dani Carvajal, was sent off.
Carvajal had not started the match, coming on after five minutes when Trent Alexander-Arnold pulled up with an apparent hamstring injury.
The Santiago Bernabéu was the stage for a dramatic match, with moments of brilliance from the goalkeepers, a glaring error from a young star, and late controversy leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
Madrid began on the front foot, Mbappé nearly producing a spectacular opener from inside the box with a bicycle kick that flew just wide of the post.
It was Marseille who drew first blood in the 22nd minute, however, when Timothy Weah capitalised on a costly mistake by Arda Guler. The Turkish midfielder was dispossessed by Mason Greenwood in midfield, allowing the former Manchester United forward to thread a pass through to Weah who raced clear of the Madrid defence before smashing an unstoppable shot past Thibaut Courtois.
The Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli was the standout performer in the first half, denying Madrid on 10 occasions, including a stunning one-handed save to thwart Mbappé from point-blank range.
The visitors’ lead lasted only six minutes, however, as Geoffrey Kondogbia clumsily tripped Rodrygo inside the penalty area and Mbappé equalised for the 15-time European champions.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 72nd minute when Carvajal was sent off for butting Rulli’s head in a heated altercation.
Mbappé had the final word in the 81st minute, however, after Vinícius Júnior, on as a substitute, made a great run and the ball deflected off Facundo Medina’s boot and struck the defender’s outstretched arm.
“It was a difficult night, because we were down to 10 men, but we showed our Champions League spirit at the Santiago Bernabéu.” Mbappé told Movistar Plus. “We know we can win here against anyone and we’re happy for the victory.
“Analysing handballs is very complicated. For me, it’s a penalty, but I understand that some people don’t think so. We’re all confused by this rule. They said it was a penalty, I took it and I scored.”
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