UCL: Mourinho’s Real Madrid make winning start against Inter Milan

n n

Real Madrid’s Moroccan forward #21 Brahim Diaz kicks the ball during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 8, 2026. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)

n

Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory over his former side Inter Milan in a high-octane Champions League opener on Tuesday.

n

The record 15-time European champions took a two-goal lead through Kylian Mbappe and Fede Valverde thanks to two Inter errors in the first half.

n

Carlos Augusto smashed home for Cristian Chivu’s team in the second half but they could not find an equaliser in a pulsating battle at the Santiago Bernabeu.

n

Madrid coach Mourinho led the Italian side to Champions League glory in 2010 at the same stadium, the last time either they or he managed to lift the trophy, a few days before joining Los Blancos for his first stint at the helm.

n

After two seasons without a major trophy and enduring early European exits, Madrid president Florentino Perez brought back the Portuguese veteran to try and stop the rot, and Mourinho got the team off to both a triumphant and entertaining start to the league phase.

n

Mourinho’s side bounced back from a first defeat of the season at Real Betis in La Liga on Friday, although goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several smart saves and Inter were wasteful.

n

“It was a crazy game,” Mourinho told Movistar.

n

“Often there’s criticism when a match is boring and today it was a crazy game.

n

“A game that finished 2-1 could have finished 7-6 without any problems.”

n

Mourinho admitted his team struggled to control the game but said Inter were incapable of doing so either.

n

“If you don’t have control and they have it, it’s a very difficult situation,” he continued.

n

“However, if you don’t have it and they don’t have it… Courtois made a lot of saves, but how many chances did we not take?… It was a great game.”

n

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez said his team were wasteful in front of goal as Courtois, on his 100th Champions League game, made several saves.

n

“We were unable to make the most of all the chances we created,” said the Inter skipper.

n

“We still leave here with heads held high, as we played at a high level against a great opponent.

n

“Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but we need to improve in front of goal and could have done better.”

n

The Italians started energetically in attack but were destabilised by two grievous errors at the back.

n

Madrid stopper Courtois made two saves as the visitors probed early.

n

However, in the 14th minute Curtis Jones’s poor pass put Yann Bisseck under pressure and Brahim Diaz poked the ball through to Mbappe, who swiftly fired home.

n

Madrid’s second was gobbled up by Valverde when Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez dallied on the ball and the Uruguay international charged straight for him and tackled the ball into the net.

n

– ‘Crazy’ second half –

n

Mourinho’s side should have added another before half-time but Martinez made amends for his mistake with a sensational save to thwart Jude Bellingham.

n

Mbappe blazed past Inter’s defence and Martinez saved his low shot before somehow blocking Bellingham’s effort from point-blank range.

n

Courtois added to his collection of impressive saves by pushing away Alessandro Bastoni’s low drive as Inter tried to find a foothold.

n

“The second half was a bit too crazy and that’s something to improve,” said Courtois.

n

Carlos Augusto then blasted past the Belgian from Lautaro Martinez’s cross in the 77th minute to give Madrid a nervy ending to the game.

n

But Courtois saved his side again as he beat away a deflected Henrikh Mkhitaryan effort to ensure Real took all three points.

n

Valverde was named player of the match but he said the credit also belonged to Courtois.

n

“I think he saved us today, he produced an incredible performance, so I think this is his prize too,” admitted Valverde.

n n