Real Madrid began their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in a match that saw Jose Mourinho face one of his former clubs.
Match Result
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan (Santiago Bernabeu, Champions League League Phase Matchday 1)
Goals: Kylian Mbappe 14′, Federico Valverde (before halftime), Carlos Augusto (late, Inter)
Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute, moving level with Madrid great Raul on 71 goals as the Champions League’s fifth-highest all-time scorer. Valverde doubled Madrid’s advantage before halftime after Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez hesitated inside his own box and was dispossessed. Inter substitute Carlos Augusto pulled one back late on, converting a Lautaro Martinez cutback, but Madrid held on for the win.
Goal-by-Goal Breakdown
- 14′: Kylian Mbappe opens the scoring for Real Madrid
- Before halftime: Federico Valverde doubles the lead after a Josep Martinez error
- Late: Carlos Augusto halves the deficit for Inter
Key Performers
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid): Scored his fifth goal of the season and moved level with Raul on 71 all-time Champions League goals, the competition’s fifth-highest scorer.
- Federico Valverde (Real Madrid): Scored the crucial second goal, capitalizing on a defensive mistake.
- Jose Mourinho (Real Madrid manager): Faced Inter, a club he guided to Champions League glory in 2010, for the first time since returning to management at Madrid.
Why Is This Match Trending?
The match is trending due to Mourinho’s storyline facing his former club, Mbappe’s milestone goal moving him level with a Real Madrid legend, and Inter’s spirited fightback that made for a nervier finish than the scoreline suggested — Inter had 21 shots, among the most recorded by a visiting team at the Bernabeu in the competition.
Champions League Context
The win gave Madrid a winning start to the new 36-team league phase format, bouncing back from a 1-0 LaLiga defeat at Real Betis days earlier. Real Madrid have now scored in 11 consecutive Champions League games, their longest such run since a 14-match streak from September 2023 to September 2024. Inter, managed by Cristian Chivu — who was part of Mourinho’s treble-winning Inter squad in 2010 — began their league phase campaign with a defeat.
What’s Next?
Both sides continue their Champions League league phase campaigns over the coming weeks as Matchday 2 approaches in October, with Real Madrid looking to build on their winning start and Inter aiming to bounce back from an opening defeat.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of Real Madrid vs Inter Milan?
Real Madrid won 2-1.
Q: Who scored for Real Madrid?
Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde.
Q: Who scored for Inter Milan?
Carlos Augusto scored a late consolation goal for Inter.
Q: How many Champions League goals has Mbappe scored in his career?
His goal against Inter moved him level with Real Madrid legend Raul on 71 goals, the fifth-highest total in Champions League history.
Q: Is this Jose Mourinho’s first time facing Inter Milan since leaving the club?
Yes, this marked Mourinho’s return to face Inter, the club he led to Champions League glory in 2010, since taking charge of Real Madrid.
