Real Madrid Edge Inter Milan in European Opener

Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid began their Champions League campaign with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Bernabeu.

Despite an erratic performance, the Spanish side capitalised on major opposition blunders. The French captain opened the scoring after fourteen minutes, netting his 71st goal in the competition to move joint-fifth on the all-time scoring list alongside Raul. Shortly after, Federico Valverde doubled the advantage by dispossessing goalkeeper Josep Martinez on the goal line.

The Italian champions fought back strongly, testing Thibaut Courtois repeatedly and striking the crossbar. While Jude Bellingham missed clear opportunities to extend the lead, Carlos Augusto eventually swept home in the 77th minute to set up a tense finish. Late heroics from Courtois preserved the win, though Madrid fans whistled to express their frustration at the overall display.

Reflecting on the unpredictable nature of the match, Madrid manager Mourinho stated, “5-1 to us, 6-6, I don’t want to say they could have won,” before calling the encounter “mad, and not a madness I like.”

Meanwhile, Bellingham candidly admitted he had missed “two sitters” during the contest. Despite the lingering criticism, Madrid successfully secured all three points.

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