Real Madrid have kickstart their UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 win over Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday night.
Club star, Kylian Mbappé scored twice from the penalty spot to cancel out Timothy Weah’s opener.
The French forward’s goals ensured Los Blancos avoided an upset against a spirited Marseille side, who played with belief in their first Champions League outing since 2023.
The result, however, was overshadowed by controversy after a late handball call went against the visitors.
Weah strikes first for Marseille
Marseille silenced the home crowd midway through the first half. Mason Greenwood created the opening, slipping a clever pass into the path of Weah, who calmly finished past Thibaut Courtois in the 22nd minute.
The goal sent the 4,000 travelling OM fans into celebration as Roberto De Zerbi’s men took a shock lead.
But Real responded fast. Minutes later, Rodrygo was brought down by Geoffrey Kondogbia inside the box, leaving the referee no choice but to award a penalty.
Mbappé stepped up and converted confidently in the 29th minute to restore parity.
Red card drama and late penalty
The match remained finely balanced after the break, with both sides creating chances. Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang went close, while Courtois was forced into saves from long range efforts.
The contest took a twist in the 65th minute when Real full-back Dani Carvajal was shown a straight red card for a headbutt on goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, leaving Madrid with ten men.
Marseille pressed for a winner, but their move was halted by a contentious decision.
In the 81st minute, Facundo Medina was penalised for handball inside the box, despite protests from OM players. Mbappé converted the resulting penalty for his second of the night, giving Madrid the lead.
Marseille fall short despite late push
In the closing stages, Marseille threw men forward in search of an equaliser. Greenwood came closest, blasting over from close range, but Real Madrid held on to secure all three points.
The victory puts Xabi Alonso’s side on course in Group Stage action, while Marseille will be left to rue the chances they couldn’t convert.