Real Madrid bounced back from a La Liga loss over the weekend to begin their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Kylian Mbappe moving joint-fifth on the competition’s all-time scoring list.
The France captain opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Federico Valverde doubled the advantage nine minutes later.
Mbappe produced a composed finish from just inside the penalty area to register his 71st Champions League goal in 99 appearances.
The achievement moved him level with Real Madrid legend Raul, while only Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more goals in the competition’s history.
Real Madrid quickly extended their lead after a costly mistake from Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez.
A back pass from Benjamin Pavard put Martinez under pressure, and Valverde took advantage by dispossessing the goalkeeper before calmly rolling the ball into an empty net in the 23rd minute.
Inter had opportunities to respond, with Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois making important saves from Hakan Calhanoglu and Lautaro Martinez.
The Italian champions also struck the crossbar through Curtis Jones, while Martinez later denied Mbappe and Jude Bellingham with a double save before the post prevented another Real Madrid goal.
Bellingham missed a major opportunity to put the result beyond doubt, and Inter were eventually rewarded for their pressure when Carlos Augusto pulled a goal back in the 77th minute following an assist from Lautaro Martinez.
The goal created a tense finish as Inter searched for an equaliser, but Real Madrid held on to secure all three points.
The victory gives Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid a winning start to their Champions League campaign, although the home supporters were reportedly unhappy with aspects of their team’s performance.
For Mbappe, however, the night provided another landmark as he continued his rapid rise up the competition’s historic scoring charts.
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