Real Madrid began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night, thanks to a Kylian Mbappé brace from the penalty spot.
Marseille, playing in the competition for the first time since 2023, stunned the hosts in the 22nd minute when Mason Greenwood slid a clever pass to Timothy Weah, who coolly finished past Thibaut Courtois to silence the home crowd.
Madrid hit back quickly. Rodrygo won a penalty after being fouled by Geoffrey Kondogbia, and Mbappé converted in the 29th minute to level the score.
The second half proved intense, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Greenwood threatening for OM, while Courtois kept Madrid in the game with key stops.
The tie seemed to turn in Marseille’s favor when Dani Carvajal was shown a straight red card in the 65th minute for a headbutt on goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, leaving Madrid down to 10 men.
But controversy struck late on. In the 81st minute, referee awarded Madrid a penalty after Facundo Medina was judged to have handled the ball inside the area, a decision fiercely contested by Marseille players. Mbappé kept his cool, slotting home his second of the night to give Los Blancos the lead.
Despite a late surge from Marseille — including a close-range miss from Greenwood — Xabi Alonso’s side held on to secure all three points.
The result leaves Real Madrid in control early in the group stage, while Roberto De Zerbi’s spirited Marseille will feel hard done by after a performance full of fight, but ultimately undone by two penalties.
