Mbappé fires Madrid past Marseille after Weah opener


Kylian Mbappé converted two penalties and 10-man Real Madrid came back to beat visiting Marseille 2-1 on Tuesday on the opening night of the Champions League.

The victory meant that 15-time champions Madrid became the first team in competition history -- since the rebranding in the early 1990s -- to reach 200 wins.

Trent exits with injury during Madrid's UCL opener

And it gave former Madrid playing standout Xabi Alonso a victory in his Champions League debut as the club's coach.

Timothy Weah put visiting Marseille ahead early on but Mbappé struck back from the penalty spot in the 29th and 81st. 

Madrid captain Dani Carvajal was sent off in the 72nd for headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli.

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.

"We are happy that he keeps scoring goals and has been feeling more and more comfortable," Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde said of the France star. "Our job is to make sure the ball gets to him and that he can have even more scoring opportunities than he is having now."

Kylian Mbappé scored both Real Madrid goals in their comeback win over Marseille.
Kylian Mbappé scored both Real Madrid goals in their comeback win over Marseille.
Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

The game was played at a high tempo and Mbappé 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.

Real were made to rue those misses as Mason Greenwood robbed Arda Güler and released Weah -- a United States international and the son of former Ballon d'Or winner George Weah -- to blast past Thibaut Courtois after 22 minute.

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

Both sides continued to attack with Aurélien Tchouaméni 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 Madrid 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.

Madrid rallied and were awarded a second penalty as Facundo Medina, sliding in to tackle Vinícius Júnior, struck the ball with his hand.

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

Spanish police clashed with Marseille fans before the match but the situation was controlled quickly.

Information from The Associated Press and PA was used in this report.