Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappe double strikes helped Real Madrid past Marseille as the league phase of the UEFA Champions League kicked off on September 16.
The French star scored a pair of penalties to helped Real Madrid turn a deficit into victory in Xabi Alonso’s first Champions League game at the helm. After withstanding early pressure from the hosts, Marseille struck first through Timothy Weah’s emphatic finish, but Alonso’s side were quickly level when Mbappe converted from the spot following a foul by Geoffrey Kondogbia on Rodrygo.
Although Madrid had Dani Carvajal sent off in the 72nd minute, Mbappé struck again with nine minutes left after Facundo Medina was penalised for handball. Elsewhere, substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard struck to give Arsenal a winning start in a tight contest in Bilbao, with Athletic Club making their first Champions League appearance since 2014/15. Neither goalkeeper was unduly troubled until Martinelli scored within seconds of his introduction, collecting a Trossard flick from inside the visitors’ half and charging through to slot in. Another blistering Martinelli run created the second goal, teeing up Trossard to seal victory with a deflected finish.
Mikel Arteta’s substitutions paid off brilliantly as Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to score and get Arsenal’s Champions League campaign off the perfect start with 2-0 win over Athletic Club. Neither goalkeeper was unduly troubled until Martinelli scored within seconds of his introduction, collecting a Trossard flick from inside the visitors’ half and charging through to slot in. Another blistering Martinelli run created the second goal, teeing up Trossard to seal victory with a deflected finish.
