Real Madrid Beat Inter Milan 2-1 to Start Champions League Campaign With Win

Real Madrid win Inter on Mourinho’s 

Real Madrid opened their Champions League season with a 2-1 win at Inter Milan, as Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scored in Jose Mourinho’s return to San Siro.

Wasteful in front of goal and punished at the back, Inter Milan lost 2-1 to Real Madrid as Los Blancos kicked off their Champions League campaign with three points in Milan...

Real Madrid, 15-time Champions League winners, started their league phase with a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan the club where Jose Mourinho won the trophy in 2010.

Inter began the season strongly and looked capable of an upset after five defeats in their last six UCL games. But a promising start collapsed during a disastrous 10-minute spell that left the Nerazzurri 2-0 down.

Efforts from Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu came to nothing. The hosts took the lead after a poor touch from Yann Bisseck let Brahim Diaz play in Kylian Mbappe, who slotted his shot down the middle.

Chances for Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu came to nothing as the hosts went ahead. A poor touch from Yann Bisseck let Brahim Diaz slip Kylian Mbappe in, and he finished down the middle.

Inter’s troubles deepened when goalkeeper Josep Martinez dallied on a Benjamin Pavard back-pass. Instead of clearing, he tried to turn past Federico Valverde, who stole in to tap into an empty net.

It got worse for the hosts when Curtis Jones hit the bar from close range. Inter were at least spared more damage when Martinez produced a superb double save to deny Mbappe and then Jude Bellingham before half-time.

Eager to make up for his mistake, Martinez was quick off his line early in the second half. He came out, got back, and still managed to block Mbappe’s curling effort.

The pattern from the first half continued after the break. Courtois turned a Jones effort wide from a tight angle, while Thuram blazed over after Calhanoglu picked him out in the box.

Inter kept wasting half-chances, but the saves that made the highlights came at the other end. Josep Martinez flew to deny Jude Bellingham and Mbappe to keep Madrid from pulling further ahead.

Inter finally got a goal with about 15 minutes left. Lautaro Martinez drove to the byline and crossed for Carlos Augusto, whose shot went through Ibrahima Konate’s legs and past Courtois.

Inter briefly looked like they could get something from the game, but Madrid controlled possession in the closing minutes and held on for the win.

Real Madrid hold on to win against Inter 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/x2B1zQ4afu

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 8, 2026

The result gives Los Blancos the perfect start to a Champions League campaign they hope will end with a final in Madrid in June at Atletico’s Metropolitano.

It’s more UCL frustration for Inter after reaching the final in 2025. Still, despite all the missed chances, there were signs for Cristian Chivu that he might be able to repeat as a coach what he achieved as a player with Inter 16 years ago.