Real Madrid began their new Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu, securing three points despite being made to work for the result.
Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde were on target for the Spanish side, while Carlos Augusto pulled one back for Inter in the second half. The scoreline ultimately favoured Real, but the match was far more competitive than the final margin suggested.
Inter made the stronger start. Just three minutes into the match, Marcus Thuram tested Thibaut Courtois with a half-volley, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper reacted superbly to keep the effort out. Hakan Calhanoglu then threatened from a free-kick, only for Courtois to deny him as well.
Real were initially under pressure, but they punished Inter when an opportunity presented itself. In the 14th minute, a misplaced pass from Curtis Jones put Yann Bisseck under pressure. Brahim Diaz seized possession and quickly found Mbappe, who produced a composed finish inside the penalty area to give the hosts the lead.
The goal was significant for Mbappe on a personal level. It was his 71st goal in the Champions League and European Cup, achieved in his 99th appearance in the competition. That took him level with Real Madrid great Raul Gonzalez, who also scored 71 times, although Raul required 142 matches to reach that figure.
Nine minutes after Mbappe’s opener, Real doubled their advantage through another costly Inter mistake. Benjamin Pavard’s back-pass gave goalkeeper Josep Martinez possession, but he hesitated unnecessarily. Valverde closed him down, won the ball and saw it roll into the net to make it 2-0.
Remarkably, Real had registered only one shot on target at that stage. Their efficiency, rather than sustained attacking dominance, had given them a two-goal cushion.
Inter refused to collapse. Curtis Jones struck the crossbar, while Real survived another dangerous spell before half-time. Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Brahim Diaz also combined to create an opportunity for a third goal, but Inter managed to escape.
The second half brought a different contest. Inter pushed forward repeatedly and began to create sustained pressure around the Real penalty area. Courtois again kept out an effort from Jones, while Thuram was unable to convert a dangerous cross from Carlos Augusto. Lautaro Martinez also found opportunities as Inter searched for a route back into the game.
At the other end, Josep Martinez began to make amends for his earlier mistake. He denied Bellingham’s effort in the 58th minute and then stopped Mbappe with his legs eight minutes later. Brahim Diaz subsequently saw a curling attempt miss the target as Real tried to restore their two-goal advantage.
Inter’s persistence finally paid off in the 77th minute. Lautaro Martinez delivered an excellent cross into the area, and Carlos Augusto met it with a powerful finish that beat Courtois. The deficit was reduced to 2-1, setting up a tense final period.
The Italian side then increased the pressure in search of an equaliser. Real were forced to defend deep at times, with Courtois once again becoming central to their hopes of holding on.
In the closing stages, the Belgian goalkeeper produced several important interventions. His most notable late contribution came when he denied Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whose goal-bound effort threatened to level the match. Courtois’ saves ensured that Real survived the late pressure and secured all three points.
For Mbappe, the night carried an additional milestone. By reaching 71 Champions League and European Cup goals in just 99 appearances, he moved level with Raul in fifth place on the competition’s all-time scoring list.
Only four players have scored more. Karim Benzema has 90 goals, Robert Lewandowski 109, Lionel Messi 129 and Cristiano Ronaldo 140. Mbappe’s rapid rise has placed him among the competition’s most prolific scorers, and his latest strike further strengthened his position in a list dominated by some of the greatest forwards in European football.
Real Madrid’s opening victory therefore delivered more than three points. It gave them a winning start to their European campaign, while Mbappe’s goal provided another landmark in an increasingly significant Champions League record.
