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Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scored as Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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Mbappe moved to 71 Champions League goals, joining Real Madrid legend Raul González as the competition’s joint-fifth-highest scorer of all time.
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Carlos Augusto pulled one back for Inter in the second half, but Real Madrid held on for victory.
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Thibaut Courtois produced several important saves as José Mourinho’s side survived a late Inter push.
September 09, (THEWILL) — Real Madrid began their 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Inter Milan, with Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde taking advantage of costly defensive mistakes to put the Spanish side in control before the visitors fought back.
The result gave José Mourinho a winning start to his first Champions League campaign as Real Madrid manager, although Inter’s second-half response exposed some of the problems the home side will need to address as the competition progresses.
Mbappe Punishes Inter and Reaches Historic Milestone
Inter started positively at the Bernabéu, but their early control disappeared when a defensive mistake presented Real Madrid with the opening goal.
In the 14th minute, Inter midfielder Curtis Jones was pressured into a poor sequence that left Yann Bisseck struggling to deal with the loose ball.
Brahim Díaz reacted quickly before Mbappe finished the move to put Madrid ahead.
The goal was significant beyond the scoreline.
Mbappe’s finish took his Champions League tally to 71 goals, moving him level with Raul González in joint-fifth place on the competition’s all-time scoring chart.
That achievement further underlined the Frenchman’s extraordinary record in Europe’s premier club competition.
Mbappe has already established himself among the Champions League’s most prolific scorers despite still being in the early stages of his career compared with several of the names above him on the list.
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Valverde Doubles Real Madrid’s Lead
Real Madrid quickly turned their advantage into a two-goal cushion.
Just nine minutes after Mbappe’s opener, Federico Valverde made it 2-0 after another costly Inter error.
Goalkeeper Josep Martínez’s attempted build-up went wrong, allowing Madrid to regain possession in a dangerous area before Valverde finished the move.
The two goals demonstrated Madrid’s efficiency but also highlighted Inter’s defensive vulnerability.
The Italian side had enjoyed promising periods of possession, only to find themselves two goals behind after mistakes under pressure.
Madrid had opportunities to extend their advantage before half-time, but Inter survived and went into the break with a route back into the contest.
Inter Fight Back Through Carlos Augusto
Inter returned for the second half with greater attacking intent and gradually began putting Madrid under sustained pressure.
The visitors were eventually rewarded in the 77th minute when Carlos Augusto reduced the deficit to 2-1. Lautaro Martínez provided the assist, giving Inter renewed belief and setting up a tense final period at the Bernabéu.
The goal changed the mood of the match. Real Madrid, who had looked comfortable during long stretches of the first half, were forced to defend deeper as Inter searched for an equaliser.
Courtois Keeps Mourinho’s Side Ahead
Inter created several opportunities to complete the comeback, but Thibaut Courtois proved decisive when Madrid needed him most.
The Belgian goalkeeper made important interventions, including a late double save that helped prevent Inter from finding a second goal.
Madrid also had chances to restore their two-goal advantage, but Inter’s resistance and some wasteful finishing kept the game alive.
Despite Inter’s pressure, Mourinho’s side managed to protect their narrow lead until the final whistle.
Real Madrid Make Winning Champions League Start
The 2-1 victory gives Real Madrid three points from their opening Champions League fixture and provides Mourinho with a positive start to his European campaign at the club.
For Mbappe, however, the night carried an additional significance.
His goal was not only the opening strike of Madrid’s European campaign but also the one that moved him alongside Raul with 71 Champions League goals.
With one of Real Madrid’s greatest European goalscorers now within his reach, Mbappe’s latest milestone adds another chapter to what is rapidly becoming an extraordinary Champions League scoring record.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
