UEFA Champions League - Martinez's major error gifts Mbappe a goal, Valverde scores as Real Madrid beat Inter 2-1

At 3:00 a.m. Beijing time on September 9, a key match of Matchday 1 of the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League league phase took place, with Real Madrid hosting Inter Milan. In the first half, Brahim Diaz assisted and Mbappe scored. Later, Valverde capitalized on Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez's mistake to poke the ball into the net. In the second half, Lautaro assisted and Augusto pulled one back. In the end, Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-1 at home to make a winning start to the new Champions League season.

In the 3rd minute, Lautaro sent a through ball from the right, Diouf delivered it into the penalty area, and Thuram's shot was blocked by Courtois.

One minute later, the Nerazzurri played a cut-back pass, and Calhanoglu's powerful shot was blocked by a Real Madrid defender. In the 13th minute, Inter won the ball high up the pitch, and Lautaro's low shot was saved by Courtois.

In the 14th minute, Real Madrid forced an error from Inter's defense with a high press, Brahim Diaz played a through ball, and Mbappe scored with a sliding shot, making it 1-0 for Real Madrid.

In the 15th minute, Inter won a free kick in the attacking area, and Calhanoglu's powerful strike was saved by Courtois. One minute later, Bastoni crossed from the left, and Diouf's shot at the far post went wide.

In the 20th minute, Vinicius went down inside the penalty area after a run, but the referee did not award a penalty. In the 23rd minute, Pavard passed back, and goalkeeper Josep Martinez attempted to dribble past an opponent inside the box but was read by Valverde, who arrived and poked the ball into the goal to make it 2-0.

In the 33rd minute, Calhanoglu delivered a free kick, and an Inter player headed into Courtois and was called for a foul. In the 36th minute, Lautaro passed the ball, Augusto crossed into the box, and Jones adjusted before firing just wide.

In the 44th minute, Diouf passed to Thuram, whose shot was blocked by a Real Madrid defender. Later, Inter took a corner, and Lautaro's header under Huijsen's defense went over the bar.

In the first minute of stoppage time, Mbappe cut inside and shot from a tight angle, but Josep Martinez blocked it with his foot. Bellingham followed up with a shot that was brilliantly saved by Martinez.

At halftime, Real Madrid led Inter 2-0.

In the 49th minute, Real Madrid counterattacked and Mbappe's shot was saved by the goalkeeper. One minute later, Jones shot and Courtois kept the ball out.

In the 52nd minute, Calhanoglu drove the ball into the box from the right, and Thuram's close-range effort near the penalty spot went over the crossbar. In the 57th minute, Inter sent a precise long pass, Lautaro's shot was saved by Courtois, and Jones' follow-up effort was also denied by Courtois.

One minute later, Brahim Diaz passed the ball, and Bellingham controlled it before shooting with an open goal inside the six-yard box, but the goalkeeper made a stunning save. Dumfries' header went over. In the 61st minute, Augusto crossed from the left, but Lautaro failed to connect with his sliding shot at the far post.

In the 67th minute, Brahim Diaz unselfishly passed the ball, and Mbappe's shot inside the penalty area was saved by goalkeeper Martinez. In the 68th minute, Lautaro cut inside and shot, but the effort was blocked by a Real Madrid player. Real Madrid immediately launched a counterattack, and Brahim Diaz's shot after cutting inside went just wide.

In the 72nd minute, Valverde unleashed a powerful shot that directly knocked Bisseck down. In the 77th minute, Bisseck played a through ball, Lautaro advanced and passed into the box, and Augusto scored from close range to pull one back, making it 1-2 for Inter.

In the 87th minute, Inter had a chance, but Sucic's shot went high over the bar.

The match ended with Real Madrid defeating Inter Milan 2-1 at home to make a winning start to the new Champions League season.

Starting lineups for both teams:

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): 1-Courtois/24-Dumfries, 16-Konate, 4-Huijsen, 17-Cucurella/12-Arnold (79th minute, 14-Tchouameni), 8-Valverde/21-Brahim Diaz (79th minute, 25-Jan Diomande), 5-Bellingham, 7-Vinicius (87th minute, 18-Carreras)/10-Mbappe (90th minute, 19-Espi)

Inter Milan (3-5-2): 1-Josep Martinez/28-Pavard (46th minute, 6-Stones), 31-Bisseck, 95-Bastoni/17-Diouf, 23-Barella (60th minute, 7-Zielinski), 20-Calhanoglu (60th minute, 8-Sucic), 21-Curtis Jones, 30-Carlos Augusto (83rd minute, 22-Mkhitaryan)/10-Lautaro, 9-Thuram (60th minute, 14-Bonny)

(Sohu Sports original: 'Why did it turn yellow again')