Mbappé scores in debut as Real Madrid beats Inter Milan in Champions League; Haaland shines against Porto.
Real Madrid kicked off their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match served as a reunion for José Mourinho and Cristian Chivu, manager and former player who secured the treble together in 2010. The encounter, which began as an even contest, saw Real Madrid fall behind early, despite several key saves from Courtois, who stepped up in crucial moments.
Mbappé goal sparks comeback
Still in the first half, Kylian Mbappé showcased his brilliance by winning the ball back during a high press, playing a one-two with Brahim Diaz, and scoring the opening goal for the hosts. The strike not only gave Real Madrid the lead but also saw the French forward reach 71 goals in the Champions League, tying Raúl for fifth place among the competition’s all-time top scorers. Shortly after, a turnover by Inter allowed Valverde to extend the lead to 2-0.
In the second half, Inter Milan attempted a comeback. Despite pressing hard and cutting the deficit with a goal from Carlos Augusto, who capitalized on a Lautaro cross, the Italian side could not prevent the loss. Real Madrid, despite a somewhat complacent approach at times, secured all three points in their opener.
Haaland stars in Manchester City victory
In another match of the day, Manchester City relied on the brilliance of Erling Haaland to beat Porto 2-0 at the Estádio do Dragão. The Norwegian striker scored both goals, reaching an impressive tally of 59 goals in 59 Champions League matches, further cementing his status as an unstoppable goalscorer.
Borussia Dortmund and Real Betis win in high-scoring affairs
In Germany, Borussia Dortmund overcame Villarreal in an electric second half, finishing 3-1. After a cagey first half, the teams traded goals, with Guirassy netting twice for the German side. Meanwhile, in France, Real Betis stunned Lille with a 3-2 comeback victory. Lille had initially held the lead, but the Spanish side rallied for the win despite the late sending off of Ethan Mbappé.
The first round of the Champions League group stage demonstrated the strength of the favorites, while also proving that thrilling matches and dramatic turnarounds remain the soul of the competition. Teams now prepare for their next challenges, looking to solidify their positions in the race for the coveted European trophy.
