Real Madrid debuts in Champions League with more controversy than football

Real Madrid's debut in the 2025/26 Champions League was marked by controversy. Olympique de Marseille struck first with Weah, but two penalties converted by Mbappé gave the Whites the victory at the Bernabéu (2-1).

Madrid-Marseille: rocky start with scares

Real Madrid's European debut in the group stage of the 2025/26 Champions League was full of incidents from the first minute. Trent Alexander-Arnold had to leave the field injured in the 4th minute and shortly after Mastantuono crashed a ball into the post. In that start, Xabi Alonso's team dominated clearly, although without success in the definition.

In the middle of the Whites' control phase, Olympique de Marseille punished a loss by Arda Güler. Greenwood assisted Timothy Weah, who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute (0-1). The goal surprised a Bernabéu that saw how the French team found spaces on the counterattack and took the lead.

Mbappé ties from the penalty spot

Madrid reacted quickly. Just seven minutes later, Rodrygo fell in the area after a tackle by Kondogbia and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Kylian Mbappé took responsibility and converted the penalty to restore equality (1-1, minute 29).

In the final stretch of the first half, Rulli avoided the second with key interventions against Tchouaméni and Mastantuono, while Aubameyang missed the 1-2 in a clear counterattack.

Second half with controversy and tension

The script remained after the break. Madrid looked for the goal insistently and Mbappé again crashed a shot off the crossbar. The locals claimed a penalty for an action by Balerdi on the striker himself, while Marseille continued to generate danger in the fast transitions. Courtois had to show off against a powerful shot from Aubameyang in the 56th minute.

The match became complicated for the White team in the 72nd minute: Dani Carvajal was sent off for a headbutt on Rulli in an action reviewed by VAR.

With ten players, Madrid went for the victory and found a reward in another controversial decision. A fall by Vinicius caused a rebound on Medina's hand inside the area, sanctioned as a penalty. Mbappé did not fail and sealed the comeback (2-1, minute 81).

Madrid 2-1 Marseille: a triumph with more doubts than certainties

The final stretch maintained the uncertainty. Greenwood came close to the equalizer in a very powerful shot that forced Courtois to go all out. Finally, Real Madrid managed to add their first three points in the group stage, although they did so leaving doubts in the game and depending on two disputed penalties.

Olympique de Marseille leaves with the sensation of having been able to score points at the Bernabéu thanks to their counterattack ability. Gennaro Gattuso's team posed an uncomfortable match that highlighted shortcomings in Xabi Alonso's project, still in the adjustment phase.

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