Real Madrid punished two costly Inter Milan mistakes to claim a 2-1 win in their UEFA Champions League opener, with Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scoring and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois keeping the visitors at bay at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho faced his former club at the stadium where he guided Inter to Champions League glory against Bayern Munich in 2010, but the visitors threatened to spoil his evening.
Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois kept his side in the game before Real Madrid went ahead. Mbappe pressured Yann Bisseck into losing possession and Brahim Diaz collected the loose ball before feeding the French striker who sent it beneath the goalkeeper.
Courtois then saved Hakan Calhanoglu’s powerful free kick before Inter goalkeeper Martinez gifted Real their second.
The goalkeeper attempted to dribble past Valverde inside his goal area and allowed the midfielder to poke the ball home.
Real Madrid looked rejuvenated under Mourinho as they pressed Inter Milan to cause an error leading to a goal.
Midfielder Jude Bellingham missed a close-range chance before halftime, and Inter maintained their pressure after the break.
Carlos Augusto converted Lautaro Martinez’s low cross in the 76th minute, but Real held on to see out a 2-1 victory at home after heroics from goalkeeper Courtois.
“I think we played a great first half, but I don’t deserve the MVP award today – Courtois deserved it because he saved us with an extraordinary performance,” Valverde said.
Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results
AEK Athens 1-0 LASK
Club Brugge 2-3 Aston Villa
FC Porto 0-2 Manchester
Lille 2-3 Real Betis
Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Villarreal.
