Real Madrid vs Marseille Review
Kylian Mbappé scored two penalties to secure a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid against Marseille in their opening UEFA Champions League league phase match, maintaining Los Blancos’ flawless record against Les Olympiens. The home team started strongly, with Mbappé narrowly missing an acrobatic shot, but faced a setback when Trent Alexander-Arnold had to leave the game due to injury. Despite this, their intensity didn’t wane, by the 10th minute, Franco Mastantuono struck the post, and Gerónimo Rulli saved two attempts from Rodrygo before making an impressive save to block Mbappé. However, Les Olympiens showed their threat as Timothy Weah came agonizingly close to hitting the top corner.
In the 22nd minute, Marseille shocked the Santiago Bernabéu when Mason Greenwood stole the ball from Arda Güler and set up Weah, who scored past Thibaut Courtois. Shortly after, Weah tested Courtois with a powerful long-range shot. However, Geoffrey Kondogbia gave Real Madrid a chance to quickly equalize by fouling Rodrygo and conceding a penalty, which Mbappé calmly converted. Rodrygo then nearly scored with a curling shot, and Rulli saved an Aurélien Tchouaméni attempt by tipping it over the crossbar.
At the other end, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck the side netting. Before halftime, Rulli made crucial saves to deny both Mbappé and Mastantuono. After the break, Real Madrid came out aggressively, with Mbappé’s shot hitting the crossbar after being deflected by Aubameyang’s outstretched leg, who then tested Courtois with a strong shot. The game slowed down after that, and Real’s situation worsened when Dani Carvajal was sent off in the 72nd minute for headbutting Rulli. Marseille faced an even bigger setback when Facundo Medina handled the ball while contesting Vinícius Júnior, resulting in another penalty that Mbappé narrowly converted past Rulli.
Greenwood had one shot saved by Courtois and another easily went over the crossbar, while Real Madrid effectively carried their flawless La Liga start into the Champions League. On the other hand, Marseille is becoming accustomed to the frustration of away losses, having also been defeated on the road by Rennes and Lyon this season.
