Real Madrid opens European campaign with tough win over Inter

Real Madrid achieved a precious victory over their visitors Inter with a score of 2-1 in the first round of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, raising Real Madrid's tally to 3 points, while Inter remained without any points.

Inter started the match with the first dangerous chance in the 2nd minute, when Marcus Thuram shot from inside the penalty area, but Thibaut Courtois excelled and saved the ball. Inter threatened again in the 12th minute through Lautaro Martínez, who unleashed a shot from inside the area, but Courtois was on guard and kept his net clean.

In the 14th minute, Kylian Mbappé succeeded in opening the scoring for Real Madrid, after the team capitalized on a defensive error that allowed the ball to reach Brahim Díaz, who passed it to Mbappé, and the Frenchman fired into the net, announcing the lead for the home side.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu attempted to equalise with a free kick in the 16th minute, but Thibaut Courtois continued his brilliance and saved the ball. In the 22nd minute, Federico Valverde doubled Real Madrid's lead with a second goal after applying strong pressure on the Inter goalkeeper, capitalising on the mistake to seize the ball and slot it into the net.

Real Madrid came close to adding a third goal before the end of the first half, as Kylian Mbappé broke forward and had his shot saved by the goalkeeper. Jude Bellingham followed up with another effort that was also kept out by the keeper, before Brahim Díaz's shot hit the post in the 45th minute.

With the start of the second half, Inter tried to reduce the gap, and Jonathan shot the ball towards the goal of Real Madrid, but Thibaut Courtois intervened again and saved his team. In the 58th minute, Brahim Díaz created a dangerous opportunity after he penetrated and sent the ball to Jude Bellingham, who shot directly in front of the goal, but Inter's goalkeeper excelled and saved the ball.

Thibaut Courtois continued his brilliance, denying a powerful shot from Bastoni in the 63rd minute. Real Madrid then missed a clear goal opportunity after a pass from Brahim Díaz to Kylian Mbappé, whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper in the 66th minute. Real Madrid continued to squander chances, with Brahim Díaz missing another opportunity in the 68th minute.

In the 77th minute, Inter scored to reduce the deficit, after a cross from Lautaro, which was converted by Carlos Augusto with a powerful shot. Inter nearly equalised, but Thibaut Courtois cleared the ball in the 89th minute, and the match ended 2-1.