Real Madrid hold off Inter fightback to win Champions League opener | OneFootball

Real Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Bernabeu.

Inter started brightly, with Thibaut Courtois making important saves to deny Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez. However, Real punished a defensive mistake in the 14th minute when Kylian Mbappe raced through and finished calmly after Brahim Diaz had won possession.

The hosts doubled their advantage nine minutes later after another costly error. Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez was caught in possession under pressure from Federico Valverde, who poked the ball over the line.

Real had chances to put the game beyond doubt, with Jude Bellingham twice missing excellent opportunities and Josep Martinez making a superb double save before half-time.

Inter refused to give up and eventually pulled one back in the 77th minute. Lautaro Martinez delivered a low cross into the box and Carlos Augusto arrived to finish from close range.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser during a tense finale, but Courtois stood firm to secure victory.

Mbappe’s opener was his 71st Champions League goal, moving him level with Raul in fifth place on the competition’s all-time scoring list.

Incidents: The story of the match

Real Madrid Official Line-ups:

Thibaut Courtois, Denzel Dumfries, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella, Fede Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Brahim Díaz, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior

Internazionale Official Line-ups:

Josep Martínez, Benjamin Pavard, Alessandro Bastoni, Yann Bisseck, Carlos Augusto, Curtis Jones, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Nicolò Barella, Andy Diouf, Lautaro Martínez, Marcus Thuram

1':

The match begins

Real Madrid leads 1-0 against Inter Milan. Kylian Mbappé scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Brahim Díaz.

14':

GOAL Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) scores!

Kylian Mbappé scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches) Kylian Mbappé scores goal number 91 for his team (108 matches)

Federico Valverde scores for Real Madrid with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the center of the goal. The score is now Real Madrid 2, Inter Milan 0.

23':

GOAL Real Madrid: Fede Valverde (Real Madrid) scores!

Fede Valverde scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

Real Madrid 2, Inter Milan 1. Carlos Augusto scores for Inter Milan with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the center of the goal, assisted by Lautaro Martínez.

77':

GOAL Internazionale: Carlos Augusto (Internazionale) scores!

Carlos Augusto scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)