Madrid capitalizes on Inter errors
Real Madrid opened their 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter on Tuesday, as Jose Mourinho secured a win in his first match back in the competition. Madrid took advantage of two defensive mistakes by Inter to build a 2-0 lead before the Italian side pulled one back and pushed for an equalizer late on.[S1]
Kylian Mbappe scored in the 14th minute after Inter defender Yann Aurel Bisseck failed to control the ball, allowing Brahim Diaz to set up the France captain for a clinical finish. Madrid doubled their lead nine minutes later when Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez took too long to clear a back-pass from Benjamin Pavard, and Federico Valverde closed him down, nudging the ball into the empty net.[S1]
Inter created chances but Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several key saves. Martinez recovered from his error to deny Jude Bellingham and Mbappe, but Inter pulled one back in the 77th minute when Carlos Augusto met Lautaro Martinez's cross and side-footed home. Courtois then saved from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's deflected effort as Madrid held on.[S1]
Haaland double sinks Porto
Manchester City opened Enzo Maresca's Champions League tenure with a comfortable 2-0 win at Porto, controlling possession and creating more chances. Porto managed five shots without testing Gianluigi Donnarumma on target, while City's early efforts were kept out by goalkeeper Diogo Costa, including attempts from Haaland and Rayan Cherki.[S1]
Haaland broke the deadlock shortly after halftime, heading in a cross from Enzo Fernandez after Cherki kept the attack alive. Porto's best response came from Alan Varela, who curled wide in the 57th minute. Haaland sealed the win in stoppage time, meeting Rayan Ait-Nouri's cutback with a first-time finish from close range.[S1]
The goal was Haaland's 36th in the Champions League for Manchester City, making him the club's joint-top scorer in the competition alongside Sergio Aguero. Fernandez nearly added a third in the fifth minute of stoppage time, sending a free-kick narrowly wide before Costa saved his low effort.[S1]
