Real Madrid 2–1 Inter, Champions League opener
Three points on the board. Real Madrid beat Inter 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday to start the 2026-27 Champions League campaign with a win (1)(3)(4). The goals came from Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde (4). Inter pushed late, but you held on.
Mbappé ties Raúl at 71 Champions League goals
Kylian Mbappé's goal against Inter was his 71st in the Champions League. That puts him level with Raúl González in the all-time scoring list, inside the top five (2).
Mourinho on the man-of-the-match call
José Mourinho was not happy with the man-of-the-match award going to Valverde. Thibaut Courtois made seven saves. "Whoever decides the best player on the pitch was sleeping. If they did not give the award to Courtois tonight, it will never go to the best player," Mourinho said (5). Valverde himself agreed. "Thibaut has huge merit. He saved us today, he had a tremendous performance, and that award is his too," he said (5).
Get the next Real Madrid CF brief by email
This article went out to subscribers as a brief. Get the next one straight to your inbox, free.
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
Arda Güler wins breakthrough player award
Arda Güler picked up the UEFA Champions League best breakthrough player award before the Inter match (12).
Courtois skips the Nations League
Thibaut Courtois will not play in the Nations League. He spoke with Belgium coach Mark van Bommel and decided to step aside, staying available for Belgium's Euro 2028 qualifiers (9)(10).
Rayo Vallecano on Saturday
La Liga is next. Real Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Saturday at 21:00 CEST (5). Then it is Elche away on Tuesday September 15 and Atlético Madrid on September 20.
Betis penalty controversy
The Betis loss is still being talked about. Bartra, whose possible penalty-area encroachment Real Madrid flagged after Mbappé's miss in the Betis 1–0 Madrid result, called it out. "It is serious that images are manipulated to pressure referees," Bartra said (8).
