Real Madrid Edges Inter Milan 2-1 in Champions League Opener Amid Fan Frustration
JakartaHits.id — Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League 2026/27 league-phase opener on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, as manager Jose Mourinho secured three points in his second stint with the club despite a dominant display by the visitors.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error by Inter’s Yann Bisseck and Curtis Jones, with Brahim Diaz providing the assist. Federico Valverde doubled the lead nine minutes later by pressuring goalkeeper Josep Martinez into a mistake. Inter reduced the deficit in the 77th minute through Carlos Augusto, who finished a cutback from Lautaro Martinez.
According to match data reported by ESPN and Sporting News on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Real Madrid controlled just 36% of possession while Inter registered 21 shots to the hosts’ 16. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several key saves to preserve the victory. Mbappe’s goal brought his career tally in European competition to 71, level with Real Madrid legend Raul, as noted in multiple post-match reports including those from Al Jazeera and UEFA.
Mourinho described the match as “crazy” after the final whistle. “I liked the result, three points in the opening game against a very strong team, but the game was spectacular for anyone at home, just not for me or Cristian Chivu,” he said, quoted from Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta.it on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. “This game was crazy. It could’ve been 5-0 for us, 5-5, 7-6. Inter are strong… yet we could’ve killed off the game at 3-0 before half-time.”
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Sections of the Bernabeu crowd directed whistles at Vinicius Junior when he was substituted late in the second half. Mourinho defended the Brazilian, stating he is “not at his best” but “working harder than ever” and deserves respect for his effort, according to comments reported by Managing Madrid and ESPN on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Many Madridistas voiced strong criticism of the overall performance online and in the stands, pointing to the team’s lack of control, heavy reliance on Courtois, dependence on Inter’s errors for the goals, and Vinicius Junior’s limited attacking threat as clear signs the side remains far from convincing Champions League contenders.
Valverde was named player of the match by UEFA technical observers. The midfielder reacted with surprise, saying, “I can’t believe I got the Man of the Match Award. Courtois deserved it, he saved us,” as quoted by Fabrizio Romano and Mundo Deportivo on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, adding that the Belgian goalkeeper’s tremendous performance meant the prize was also his.
The result gave Real Madrid an early three points in the new league-phase format. Inter, managed by Cristian Chivu, left Madrid without a point despite controlling large periods of the contest. Mourinho previously won the Champions League with Inter in 2010 at the same stadium.
Real Madrid will next face Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, while both sides resume Champions League action in October. (*)
