Champions League: Real Madrid 2–1 Inter, Haaland nets twice for Manchester City
Mbappé and Valverde punished Inter mistakes for Real’s 2:1 win; Haaland’s brace secured City’s 2:0 victory at Porto.
Real Madrid opened their 2026–27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2:1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. The hosts built a two-goal cushion in the first half but had to hold on late as Inter pushed for an equaliser.
Mbappé and Valverde punish Inter mistakes, Mourinho returns to the competition
Kylian Mbappé broke the deadlock in the 14th minute after capitalising on a major defensive error by Inter. Nine minutes later Federico Valverde extended the lead to 2:0, again after a gift from the Italian side. Inter improved after the interval and pulled one back through Carlos Augusto, but Real stood firm to collect the three points.
The match was notable for Jose Mourinho: it was his first Champions League game since returning to Real Madrid after more than 13 years on the managerial sidelines in the competition.
On the same night Erling Haaland produced a brace as Manchester City won 2:0 away at Porto. Haaland opened the scoring in the 47th minute and added a second late on to seal the win.
Real Betis began their European season with a 3:2 victory at Lille. Lille led 2:1 at half-time after Ueda opened the scoring in the 12th minute and Alejandro Ribeiro restored the advantage in the 36th. Marc Bartra levelled for Betis in the 33rd, then completed his brace with a 49th-minute equaliser, and Troy Parrott struck in the 53rd for the winner.
Borussia Dortmund also enjoyed a winning start, beating Villarreal 3:2 at Signal Iduna Park. The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute via an own goal by Renato Veiga. Villarreal responded through Santi Moriño in the 66th, but Serhou Guirassy shone at the end — scoring in the 80th and converting a penalty five minutes later to make it 3:1, before an own goal in stoppage time set the final 3:2 scoreline.
Photo: press material from the event
