Real Madrid Hold Off Inter After Mbappe and Valverde Strike Early

Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter at the Bernabeu, resisting sustained pressure after Kylian Mbappe and Fede Valverde scored in the first half. The Guardian reported that Jose Mourinho's side secured the result despite Inter producing 37 total attempts between the teams and controlling much of the possession.

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Inter began strongly and forced Thibaut Courtois into an early save from Marcus Thuram. Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez also had attempts before Madrid went ahead with their first shot. Under pressure from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones played the ball toward Yann Bisseck, whose mistake allowed Brahim Diaz to release Mbappe. The forward finished past goalkeeper Josep Martinez.

Madrid doubled the lead in the 23rd minute after another costly Inter error. Martinez attempted to control the ball near his goal line as Valverde closed him down, but the move failed and Valverde converted from close range. Vinicius Junior later threatened to add a third, only for Bisseck to make a recovery challenge near the six-yard box.

Inter continued to create the greater volume of chances. Jones struck the crossbar after combining with Martinez and Carlos Augusto, while Madrid nearly scored again shortly before halftime. Martinez denied Jude Bellingham and Diaz hit the post from the rebound. According to The Guardian, Inter entered the interval having led the shot count 12-3 and held 70 percent possession.

Both goalkeepers remained central after the break. Courtois saved from Jones and Alessandro Bastoni, while another double stop came during a sequence that was ultimately ruled offside. At the other end, Martinez stopped Mbappe with his legs and also recovered across goal to deny Bellingham following a Diaz pass. Inter kept pushing as Madrid found space on the counterattack but could not put the contest away.

Carlos Augusto finally cut the deficit with 15 minutes remaining, finishing from six yards after Lautaro Martinez reached the byline and supplied the pullback. Inter could not find an equalizer, however, and Courtois made another decisive save in the 89th minute. Madrid therefore held their early advantage to give Mourinho a winning Champions League start in the second spell of his tenure.