Real Madrid Scrape Through Chaotic Battle Against Inter Milan Despite Error-Filled Performance

Real Madrid edged past Inter Milan 2–1 on Tuesday evening to kick off their 2026–27 Champions League campaign with a victory at the Bernabéu.

The 15-time European champions found themselves under pressure from the very first minute, but the tide turned when Curtis Jones was dispossessed in midfield. The Inter man was robbed of the ball and could only look on as Kylian Mbappé put Los Blancos ahead just 14 minutes in.

Next, it was Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez who gifted the hosts another goal. Federico Valverde pressed the 28-year-old relentlessly, and the keeper inexplicably held onto the ball too long. The Real Madrid captain pounced with a challenge that ended up in the back of the net.

José Mourinho's side squandered a host of opportunities, a fact they came to regret when Carlos Augusto pulled one back for the away side in the 77th minute. Nevertheless, Los Blancos held on until the final whistle and claimed three—albeit unconvincing—points in their Champions League opener.

The One Thing We Can't Ignore

Real Madrid were shut out at the weekend, blanked by a Real Betis side that had let in five goals just four days earlier. The 15-time European champions squandered a string of clear-cut chances; they generated seven big opportunities on the night and failed to find the net once.

Tuesday night at the Bernabéu told a different story early on. Mbappé and company were well-placed to capitalize on two Inter errors, and this time they made no mistake.

Mbappé and Valverde's strikes gave Los Blancos a two-goal buffer that instantly eased the pressure on their much-criticized attack. It also allowed Mourinho's makeshift double pivot to relax; they wouldn't need to conjure heroics to carve out chances against a typically resolute defense.

Yet the same glaring issues from the weekend resurfaced as the match progressed. Jude Bellingham spurned two chances that left the Bernabéu crowd stunned. Mbappé failed to convert a brilliant counterattack and later capped a fine team move with a tame shot straight at the diving keeper.

By the time the referee blew the final whistle, Real Madrid had scored two goals—and both had been handed to them by Inter Milan.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs. Inter Milan (4-3-2-1)

*Ratings Provided by FotMob*

GK: Thibaut Courtois—7.4: Produced yet another classic Champions League display. Called upon early and set the tone with a fine near-post save. Finished the night with seven saves, none of them routine.

RB: Denzel Dumfries—6.7: Completely undone by Augusto inside his own penalty area. Looked vulnerable under pressure.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—6.9: His positioning was questionable throughout. Let Lautaro Martínez in behind on multiple occasions and relied on his goalkeeper to cover for him.

CB: Dean Huijsen—7.1: The standout performer among the defenders, though the bar wasn't set high. Made crucial interventions when it mattered most. A display that could mark his coming of age in a Real Madrid shirt.

LB: Marc Cucurella—7.2: Left too much space down the left flank at times and was punished in the buildup to Augusto's goal. Stepped up with a key contribution in stoppage time to secure the win.

DM: Trent Alexander-Arnold—7.0: His pressure on Jones directly led to Real Madrid's opening goal. Crafted a superb transition chance for Mbappé that the Frenchman couldn't convert. Never looked fully at ease without the ball or defensively.

DM: Federico Valverde—8.1: Needed a strong response and delivered one. Opened his 2026–27 account with what may be the simplest goal he scores all season. Dropped into central defense at times to support his unsettled backline.

RW: Brahim Díaz—8.2: Justified his manager's trust with an assist. Should have added another when he teed up Bellingham on a plate. His tireless work rate was evident throughout.

AM: Jude Bellingham—7.6: Performed like a genuine leader. Organized play, pressed relentlessly for his reluctant forwards, and tracked back when needed. Will be frustrated he didn't get on the scoresheet at least once.

LW: Vinícius Júnior—7.3: Thrived in transition, but it was his defensive work in his own half that drew praise from the home supporters and his manager.

ST: Kylian Mbappé—8.4: Began the evening by presenting his Golden Boot and had a goal to his name 14 minutes later. Missed too many opportunities as the game wore on to consider it a truly solid outing.

SUB: Yan Diomande (79' for Díaz)—5.9: Showed promising signs going forward. Provided the team with some welcome width.

SUB: Aurélien Tchouaméni (79' for Alexander-Arnold)—6.0: Introduced to tighten up the defense.

SUB: Álvaro Carreras (87' for Vinícius Jr)—N/A

SUB: Carlos Espí (93' for Mbappé)—N/A

Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Sergio Mestre (GK), Antonio Rüdiger, Mario Rivas, Jorge Cestero, Thiago Pitarch, Endrick.

What the Ratings Tell Us

The Numbers That Explain Real Madrid's Nervy Win