Mbappe helps Real Madrid struggle to get 3 points, Arsenal wins thanks to 'strange strategy' of coach Arteta

Early morning of September 17, Mbappe's double helped Real Madrid beat Marseille 2-1 in the opening match of the 2025-2026 Champions League. Meanwhile, Arsenal also found a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao thanks to changes by coach Arteta.

Mbappe's two goals were both scored from the penalty spot.

Participating in the 2025 - 2026 Champions League, Real Madrid's goal is nothing more than winning the 16th championship. However, the journey of coach Xabi Alonso and his team is predicted to not be easy when they have to face very strong teams right from the group stage. The match against Marseille at Bernabeu will be the starting point for Real Madrid's Champions League journey. After this match, "Los Blancos" will have to face Kairat, Juventus, Liverpool, Olympiakos, Man City, Monaco and Benfica.

With the goal of winning 3 points, Real Madrid fielded their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation. Many prominent players on the attack line such as Mbappe, Arda Güler, Franco Mastantuono or Rodrygo were all present. However, the Spanish Royal team could not show their dominance over Marseille, only having 5 shots on target in the first half. Even in the 22nd minute, Timothy Weah surprised everyone with his accurate shot, helping Marseille lead Real Madrid 1-0. Real Madrid struggled to find the equalizer 1-1 thanks to Mbappe's penalty goal in the 28th minute.

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Real Madrid had a difficult home match against Marseille (blue shirt) - PHOTO: REUTERS

After the break, Real Madrid were even more stuck in finding a way into Marseille's goal. In the 72nd minute, Dani Carvajal even received a straight red card, leaving the home team with only 10 men on the field. Fortunately for Real Madrid, when they were in trouble, Mbappe continued to speak up, scoring the second goal from the penalty spot in the 81st minute, helping the team win 2-1.

With a hard-fought 2-1 win over Marseille, Real Madrid has the first 3 points in the 2025-2026 Champions League, temporarily rising to 4th place in the overall rankings. In the second match, coach Xabi Alonso and his team will travel to Kazakhstan to meet Kairat (September 30).

Mbappe brings 3 points to Real Madrid - PHOTO: REUTERS

Coach Mikel Arteta's "strange" substitution helps Arsenal get 3 points

In the earlier match, title contender Arsenal also had a tough match at San Mamés against Atletic Bilbao. In the first half, Arsenal did not play well and let Athletic Bilbao shoot many times, causing David Raya's goal to constantly shake. If not for luck, Arsenal's net would have been shaken early.

In the second half, coach Mikel Arteta made many adjustments in the midfield, helping Arsenal play better. From the 65th minute, the Spanish coach also surprised everyone by changing the entire forward line, taking out players like Viktor Gyökeres and Eberechi Eze even though the team was still tied 0-0. Instead, players with a tendency to play wide like Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were given the opportunity.

Arsenal got 3 points thanks to the precise tactics of coach Mikel Arteta - PHOTO: REUTERS

However, this "strange trick" of coach Mikel Arteta worked when Arsenal ended the match with a 2-0 victory. More notably, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard were the players who brought 2 goals for Arsenal. The first goal of the English team was scored in the 72nd minute after Gabriel Martinelli's quick acceleration and shot. In the 83rd minute, Leandro Trossard finished delicately in the penalty area, sealing a 2-0 victory for Arsenal.

Winning 3 points in the match against Atletico Bilbao, Arsenal temporarily rose to 2nd place in the overall rankings. In the next round, the English team will return to their home stadium Emirates, to meet the Greek representative, Olympiakos.

Results of other matches taking place in the early morning of September 17: Juventus 4-4 Dortmund, Benfica 2-3 Qarabag, Tottenham 1-0 Villarreal, PSV 1-3 Union Saint-Gilloise.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mbappe-giup-real-madrid-chat-vat-gianh-3-diem-arsenal-thang-nho-bai-di-cua-hlv-arteta-185250917041139966.htm