Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his La Liga debut with Real Madrid as Xabi Alonso’s side began their league campaign with a 1-0 victory over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The England right-back, who joined from Liverpool in the summer, had already featured five times in Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign, but this was his first taste of league action in front of the home crowd. He was warmly applauded off when replaced by Dani Carvajal in the 68th minute.
The decisive moment came midway through the second half when Kylian Mbappé won and converted a penalty, sending Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera the wrong way to open his league account for Madrid.
Madrid, runners-up last season under Carlo Ancelotti, controlled much of the game and created several chances. New signing Dean Huijsen, brought in from Bournemouth, tested Herrera with a fierce long-range effort, while Eder Militão also forced a save.
Two other summer arrivals made their league bows: Álvaro Carreras, a £43m signing from Benfica, and 18-year-old Argentine midfielder Franco Mastantuono, who joined for £38.5m from River Plate. Both showed glimpses of promise in a side Alonso is reshaping with a blend of experience and youth.
Osasuna offered little in attack and finished the match with ten men after Abel Bretones was sent off in stoppage time for a high challenge on Gonçalo García.
The result gave Alonso a winning start in his first La Liga match in charge of Madrid and hinted at a new era defined by bold recruitment and a fresh tactical approach.
