Real Madrid scraped to an opening win over Inter Milan in the Champions League as Jose Mourinho marked his return to the competition at the Bernabeu with victory over one of his former clubs. The visitors saw the majority of the possession in the first half but it was Real Madrid who scored twice from their first two shots on goal. A sloppy pass from Curtis Jones put centre-back Yann Bisseck in trouble and Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal of his Champions League campaign from Brahim Diaz’s quick ball. If the first goal was preventable from an Inter perspective, the second was tough to watch. Goalkeeper Josep Martínez attempted a back-heel inside his own six-yard box while being closed down by Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde, with the tireless midfielder poking the ball over the line as he made the tackle. Both sides had plenty of chances after the break as the game became increasingly stretched. Goalkeeper Martinez made amends for his earlier error as he denied Jude Bellingham but Thibaut Courtois was also called into action several times. Inter finally pulled a goal back as Carlos Augusto finished off Lautaro Martinez’s low cross, but Real Madrid managed to hold on to earn Mourinho his first Champions League win since returning to the Bernabeu for his second spell, more than 13 years after his last. Follow live updates from Real Madrid v Inter Milan, below Federico Valverde named player of the match Probably sums up a night where Real Madrid had to roll up their sleeves and fight their way to victory. (Reuters)Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 22:32Kylian Mbappe moves level with Raul for Champions League goalsKylian Mbappe scored his 71st Champions League goal tonight, moving him level with former Real Madrid striker Raul with the fifth-most of all time. The 27-year-old is now just behind Cristiano Ronaldo (141), Lionel Messi (129), Robert Lewandowski (109) and Karim Benzema (90). (Reuters)Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 22:20What's up next? Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. Their next Champions League outing is away to Roma on 14 October, in five weeks. Inter Milan, meanwhile, host Udinese next Monday. They host Club Brugge in their first Champions League game at home this season. (Getty)Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 22:10An anxious victory for Real MadridThe Real Madrid substitutes were on their feet on the touchline pleading for the final whistle. That shows just how they were made to hold on against Inter Milan, who will be bitterly disappointed they go back home with nothing. Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 22:03FULL TIME! Real Madrid 2-1 Inter MilanThey should have been out of sight, but Real Madrid hold on! A hugely frustrating one for Inter Milan, given how they gifted Real Madrid two goals in the first half. Real Madrid should have been out of sight in the second but couldn’t take their chances. But they held on afrer Inter finally got their goal, earning Jose Mourinho his first Champions League win since returning to the Bernabeu. (Getty)Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 21:55Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan90+2 mins: Kylian Mbappe also gets a standing ovation as he makes way for the closing stages. Tempers are getting high as Bisseck crashes into Cucurella as he attempted to shield the ball out of play. Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 21:55Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan90 mins: Into three minutes added on. Another stop for Courtois to catch the cross from Diouf from the angle. Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 21:51Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan89 mins: The whistles in the Bernabeu reach a crescendo as Carreras is not allowed to come on and Inter search for the equaliser. Mkhitaryan cracks a shot at goal and Courtois has to make the save, via a deflection. Real Madrid finally clear, to huge roars, and they are now back up to 11. Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 21:51Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan87 mins: Mourinho applauds Vinicius Jr as he is removed for Alvaro Carreras for the closing stages... but Carreras is not allowed to come on as Vinicius took too long to come onto the pitch! Real Madrid are temporarily down to 10 men for one minute. Imagine if Inter were to score now... Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 21:49Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan82 mins: Inter are going to get a chance to nick an equaliser, here, you can sense it. They’ve been knocking at the door all night and Real Madrid have failed to be clinical in order to put them away. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is sent on for the closing stages, replacing the goalscorer Augusto. Jamie Braidwood8 September 2026 21:44