Kylian Mbappe penalties edge Real Madrid past Marseille in Champions League

Kylian Mbappe scored two penalties as 10-man Real Madrid came from behind to open their latest Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Marseille.

The Spanish giants, chasing a record-extending 16th European title, fell behind to a Timothy Weah strike in a compelling encounter at the Bernabeu but Mbappe levelled from the spot six minutes later.

Real’s task got tougher when Dani Carvajal was sent off for headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli but Mbappe held his nerve when it mattered, tucking away another penalty nine minutes from time.

Carvajal had been sent on as an early replacement for the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold but neither issue was to prove costly on this occasion as Mbappe earned the plaudits and took his goal tally for the club to 50.

The game was played at a high tempo and Mbappe almost scored in spectacular fashion in the second minute when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s misplaced interception bounced kindly but the Frenchman’s instinctive overhead kick flew narrowly wide.

Real suffered a blow moments later when Alexander-Arnold pulled up clutching his hamstring and was forced off, with Carvajal taking his place.

The hosts were not perturbed and teenager Franco Mastantuono struck the post after barrelling through the area and poking a shot past Rulli.

Rodrygo then tested the keeper from a tight angle before Mbappe had a shot deflected over after a clever turn.

Real were made to rue those misses as Mason Greenwood robbed Arda Guler and released Weah, who made amends for missing an earlier chance by blasting past Thibaut Courtois after 22 minutes.

Marseille threatened again on a counter-attack but Courtois was equal to Weah’s long-range effort.

The lead did not last long as Real levelled after Rodrygo was clumsily brought down by Geoffrey Kondogbia, with Mbappe calmly tucking home from the spot.

Both sides continued to attack with Aurelien Tchouameni having a shot palmed over by Rulli and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang shooting into the side-netting.

Rulli also denied Guler and kept out efforts from Mastantuono either side of the break, with Aubameyang drawing another save from Courtois.

Controversy erupted in the 70th minute as Carvajal and Rulli clashed in the box after a Real corner was put behind for another corner. Rulli went to ground after Carvajal appeared to headbutt the keeper and, although contact may have been minimal, replays were clear and the red card was shown following a VAR review.

Real rallied and were awarded a second penalty as Facundo Medina, sliding in to tackle Vinicius Junior, struck the ball with his hand.

Mbappe was again clinical from the spot and, although Greenwood forced a late save from Courtois, victory was secured.