Kylian Mbappe made a memorable debut for Real Madrid by scoring in the UEFA Super Cup. He secured his first trophy with the club in the victory against Atalanta on Wednesday night. This performance showcased a promising start for the new star at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The arrival of Mbappe in Madrid generated high anticipation. News broke that he would leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of June, which sparked excitement. His reputation and the high expectations placed on him further fueled the buzz around his debut.
However, his first game didn’t start spectacularly. Mbappe’s debut in Madrid’s iconic white kit saw him make just eight touches in the first 23 minutes. Additionally, he had one shot that got blocked. Consequently, the team struggled to find their rhythm against a well-organized Atalanta side.
Mbappe missed pre-season due to a broken nose from the Euro 2024 semi-final. As a result, this lack of match fitness showed as both teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half. Notably, Rodrygo hit the crossbar for Madrid.
Fortunately, the game picked up momentum in the second half. Federico Valverde finally broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, thanks to Vinicius Junior’s setup. Moreover, Vinicius, back on the wing, and Jude Bellingham became increasingly involved. They created opportunities for Mbappe, who remained quiet until the 68th minute.
In that moment, Mbappe opened his scoring account for Real Madrid with a well-taken goal. Rodrygo intercepted the ball deep in Atalanta’s half and then passed it to Vinicius. Although Vinicius’s cross initially missed Mbappe, Bellingham capitalized on it. Consequently, the English midfielder set up Mbappe for the finish. This marked a promising start for the new forward.
The goal led to Mbappe’s signature celebration, and Vinicius and Rodrygo joined him in celebrating. This moment clearly showed how quickly Mbappe has integrated into the team.
With Madrid leading 2-0, Carlo Ancelotti opted to substitute Mbappe with just minutes remaining. Despite not being at his peak performance, Mbappe’s debut revealed glimpses of his potential. He demonstrated how he will mesh with Madrid’s star-studded squad.
Overall, this promising debut sets high expectations for what Mbappe can bring to Real Madrid. Consequently, the team’s future with him on board looks exceptionally exciting.
