Madrid: A resilient, 10-man Real Madrid battled back to clinch a dramatic 2-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille in their UEFA Champions League opener, powered by a pair of Kylian Mbapp© penalties.

According to Oman News Agency, the hard-fought win at the Santiago Bernab©u marked a historic milestone, making Real Madrid the first club to achieve 200 victories in the modern Champions League era since its rebranding in 1992. It also secured a successful European debut for the club’s new coach, former midfield maestro Xabi Alonso.

Marseille stunned the home crowd by taking an early lead through American international Timothy Weah. The goal was set up by Mason Greenwood, who dispossessed Madrid’s Arda Gler near midfield to launch the attack.

Madrid found its equalizer in the 29th minute when Mbapp© coolly converted his first penalty kick. The match’s momentum shifted again when Madrid captain Dani Carvajal received a red card in the 72nd minute, forcing his team to play a man down.

Undeterred, Madrid pressed on and was awarded a second penalty in the 81st minute, which Mbapp© once again dispatched with precision to seal the comeback win.

In a concerning moment for Madrid, summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Champions League debut for the club lasted a mere five minutes before he was substituted for Carvajal with an apparent muscle injury.