Real Madrid turned the page on their tough defeat in La Liga against Atlético (5-2) with a 'little hand' in Kazakhstan against the weak Kairat (0-5). The 'black and yellow', in their local debut in a final phase of the Champions League, tried to stand up to the 'merengues', who again opted for an improvised defense lined up by Xabi Alonso, but ended up being thrashed.
The Tolosa coach had to put Raúl Asencio as right back, while David Alaba returned to the XI alongside Fran García, given the multiple injury absences in the back. Kairat arrived several times with danger to Thibaut Courtois' goal, but lacked aim. Madrid, on the other hand, resolved the match thanks to Kylian Mbappé and his usual striking ability.
A penalty from Mbappé unlocked an uncomfortable match for Madrid
The Kazakhs started the match very well, with good high pressure that dissipated after the initial quarter of an hour. After the initial kick-off, a rehearsed play left Satpaev unmarked to head in front of Courtois, but the forward signed by Chelsea could not give power to his shot.
The locals were winning most of the individual duels and Madrid only found their footing in the match after the 15th minute. Arda Güler understood each other very well with an plugged-in Mbappé, while Vinicius lost individual duels while wasting clear chances.
In the 25th minute, an anticipation by Franco Mastantuono in the area led the young goalkeeper Kalmurza to rush out, running over the Argentine. The Italian referee Marco Guida did not hesitate to whistle the penalty, scored by Kylian with a crossed right-footed shot.
The VAR and Mbappé saved Real Madrid from another embarrassment against Kairat
The 0-1 score remained until halftime. The teams returned from the locker room without changes and Kairat was encouraged to attack again in the first minutes of the second half. However, Madrid hurt the Kazakh defense again in the 52nd minute, after a defensive lapse when trying to move the lines forward.
Courtois took a long kick and Mbappé took advantage of the defense's advancement to go on a run and define by chipping it over Kalmurza. The Whites relaxed too much in defense after the 0-2 and, in the 69th minute, came the controversy of the night.
Dani Ceballos brought down Jorginho inside the area and the main referee Marco Guida sanctioned the penalty. However, the VAR assistant, Aleandro di Paolo, called the referee to review the action on the monitor. Both judges agreed that the Kairat forward got caught on Ceballos' foot, while the Spanish midfielder was trying to pick up his right foot.
Thus, Guida annulled the penalty and, in the 73rd minute, Mbappé finished the match taking advantage of a pass from Güler to shoot the 18-year-old goalkeeper with an implacable right-footed shot. Towards the end, Camavinga made it four, assisted by Rodrygo, and Brahim Díaz closed the 'little hand' in added time, with a pass from Gonzalo.
Thus, the 'Casa Blanca' took the three points from Kazakhstan. Without brilliance or good play, but taking advantage of the defensive fragility of their rival and the good work of Arda and Kylian in attack, as well as the enormous difference between squads.
Match sheet: Kairat Almaty 0-5 Real Madrid
- Kairat Almaty, 0: Kalmurza; Tapalov (Stanojev, min. 65), Martynovich, Sorokin, Mata; Kasabulat, Arad (Baibeck, min. 65); Mrynskiy, Gromyko (Zaria, min. 80); Jorginho (Edmilson, min. 65) y Satpaev (Viana, min. 80).
- Real Madrid, 5: Courtois; Asencio, Huijsen, Alaba, Fran García; Ceballos, Tchouaméni (Camavinga, min. 80), Güler (Bellingham, min. 80), Mastantuono (Rodrygo, min. 70); Vinicius (Brahim, min. 70) y Mbappé.
- Goals: 0-1, Kylian Mbappé (min. 25, p.); 0-2, Kylian Mbappé (min. 52); 0-3, Kylian Mbappé (min. 73); 0-4, Eduardo Camavinga (min. 83); 0-5, Brahim Díaz (min. 90+3).
- Referee: Marco Guida (Italy). Sanctioned a penalty by goalkeeper Kalmurza on Mastantuono in the first half. Annulled another penalty by Ceballos on Jorginho in the second half, warned by the VAR. For Kairat, he cautioned Ofri Arad and Valeriy Gromyko.
- Stadium: Central de Pavlodar (Ortalyq stadıon) in Kazakhstan.
- Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 2 of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26.