Real Madrid opened their UEFA Champions League league-phase campaign with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Internazionale at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappé’s 14th-minute opener and Federico Valverde’s 23rd-minute finish proving enough despite a forceful second-half response from the Italian side.
Madrid were ruthless in the early exchanges. Mbappé struck first on 14 minutes, giving the home side the breakthrough and settling the atmosphere inside the Bernabéu. Nine minutes later, Valverde doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute, putting Real in command before the interval.
Inter had the greater share of the ball across the match, finishing with 64.4% possession, and their pressure was reflected in 21 attempts and 11 corners. Real Madrid, though, carried a constant threat when they regained possession and were sharp in front of goal, putting eight of their 16 shots on target.
The visitors continued to push after the break and finally found a route back into the contest through Carlos Augusto in the 77th minute. That goal gave Inter a late lifeline and ensured an increasingly tense finish, with Real forced to defend their narrow lead rather than see out a comfortable evening.
Dean Huijsen and Inter captain Lautaro Martínez were both booked in the 79th minute as the contest grew more combative, while Yann Bisseck received a yellow card deep into stoppage time. But Madrid held firm through the closing stages and claimed the three points at full time.
Mbappé’s early goal will be another timely reminder of his decisive quality amid the recent attention surrounding the forward, while Valverde once again supplied the drive and end product from midfield. For Inter, the defeat will sting after a performance that created enough pressure to make Madrid work until the final whistle.
Goals: Kylian Mbappé 14′, Federico Valverde 23′; Carlos Augusto 77′.
