Mbappé Brace Lifts Madrid Past Marseille in Champions League/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kylian Mbappé netted two penalties to give Real Madrid a comeback 2-1 victory over Marseille, marking the club’s 200th Champions League win. Arsenal’s substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard secured a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao. Elsewhere, Tottenham, Juventus, Qarabag, and debutant Union Saint-Gilloise all featured in dramatic matches.
MADRID — Kylian Mbappé’s scoring touch again proved decisive as he converted two penalties to lift Real Madrid to a 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday, sealing the Spanish giants’ 200th victory in Champions League history.
The French forward first leveled the match in the 29th minute after Rodrygo was fouled in the box. His second came from the spot in the 81st minute following a Marseille handball, clinching the three points despite Madrid being down to 10 men.
With the brace, Mbappé now boasts 50 goals in 64 appearances for Madrid since joining. “Our job is to make sure he gets the ball,” said teammate Federico Valverde. “If he keeps getting chances, he’ll keep scoring.”
The victory also marked a winning start in the competition for coach Xabi Alonso, a former Madrid star making his Champions League managerial debut.
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal was sent off in the 72nd minute for headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, leaving the hosts shorthanded. Earlier, Timothy Weah — son of George Weah — had stunned the Bernabéu by scoring for Marseille after dispossessing Arda Güler.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut for Madrid lasted just five minutes before an apparent muscle injury forced him off, replaced by Carvajal. Spanish police also clashed with Marseille supporters outside the stadium before kickoff, though order was restored quickly.
In Spain, Arsenal launched their campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao thanks to impact substitutes.
Gabriel Martinelli scored less than a minute after coming onfinishing off a Leandro Trossard assist. Trossard himself doubled the lead 15 minutes later, this time set up by Martinelli.
Star signing Viktor Gyökeres, prolific for Sporting Lisbon last season, endured a frustrating night in his Champions League debut for the Gunners. He squandered a gilt-edged chance early in the second half, heading wide from a perfect Declan Rice delivery.
This year is the second season under the revamped “league phase” format. The top eight clubs will advance directly to the round of 16, while the next 16 finishers will compete in two-leg playoffs for the remaining spots.
With early shocks already shaking established sides like Benfica and PSV, the opening night highlighted the unpredictability of the new format and underscored how even seasoned contenders must tread carefully.
More on Sports
