Real Madrid cut out Inter Milan 2-1 in a thrill Champions League opening at the Bernabéu.
Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde took advantage of the visitors’ early mistakes to put Real into a significant lead, with the Nerazzurri unable to recover despite a strong performance as Carlos Augusto’s goal was not enough.
It is Jose Mourinho’s first win since returning as Real Madrid manager, and it came against the side he won the competition with at the Bernabéu in 2010 as he made the ideal start to his 2026-27 campaign.
Mistakes cost Inter at the Bernabéu
The visitors forced Thibaut Courtois into a fine early save when Marcus Thuram stung the palms of the Real striker from close range, and the home side began a lethargic exit at the Bernabeu.
Lautaro Martínez then tried his luck on the edge of the box which Courtois had to save again, but moments later the hosts were in front. Mbappé found the net with one of his first touches of the game
Real won the ball up top after a poor ball from former Liverpool player Curtis Jones, with Mbappé getting in on goal to slot the ball home.
Jones, making his first Champions League start since joining Inter, played a loose ball to Yan Bisseck, who struggled to deal with it as Mbappe pounced and played the ball to Brahim Diaz.
Immediately, Díaz passed it back to Mbappé, who had a clear run at goal. The Frenchman made no mistake and swept the ball home to put Real in front and register his 71st Champions League goal.
Real soon had a second, with Federico Valverde capitalizing on another Inter error to extend the home side’s advantage. Goalkeeper Josep Martinez was too slow on the ball, allowing Valverde to close him down and turn the loose ball into the net. Real hadn’t really threatened but found themselves two goals ahead.
Jones, keen to make up for his mistake, turned inside the box after a good play with Martinez and the England midfielder’s effort hit the top of the crossbar.
Jude Bellingham somehow didn’t make it 3-0 to Real Madrid at half-time after a mazy run from Mbappé was saved into the path of the Englishman, whose shot was blocked at point-blank range by Martinez in the Inter net before Diaz failed to turn the ball at the third attempt.
Bellingham was guilty of another missed opportunity to end the game in the second half. Good work from Diaz gave him an open goal but, instead of heading home, the midfielder’s decision to try and finish allowed Martinez to recover and make a save.
Mistakes aside, Inter put in a real good performance at the Bernabéu and will have wondered how they failed to find the net, with Courtois putting in one of his signature displays with several saves.
But that goal eventually came to set up a tense final 15 minutes as Carlos Augusto got an easy finish with a pass past Martinez.