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 the 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
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Real Madrid v Inter Milan LIVE: Latest Champions League updates
- Real Madrid surive late score to beat Inter Milan on Jose Mourinho’s return to Champions League
- 77' GOAL! Carlos Augusto pulls one back to give visitors late hope (RMA 2-1 INT)
- 23' GOAL! Fede Valverde tackles goalkeeper Josep Martínez to add second (RMA 2-0 INT)
- 14' GOAL! Kylian Mbappe punishes Curtis Jones error to fire Real Madrid in front (RMA 1-0 INT)
- Mourinho was facing former team Inter on Champions League return with Real Madrid
An anxious victory for Real Madrid
22:03 , Jamie BraidwoodThe 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.
Full-time scenes at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start! 👏
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 8, 2026
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FULL TIME! Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:55 , Jamie BraidwoodThey 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.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:55 , Jamie Braidwood90+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.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:51 , Jamie Braidwood90 mins: Into three minutes added on. Another stop for Courtois to catch the cross from Diouf from the angle.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:51 , Jamie Braidwood89 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.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:49 , Jamie Braidwood87 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...
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:44 , Jamie Braidwood82 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.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:41 , Jamie BraidwoodThings are getting heated between Lautaro Martinez and Dean Huijsen and Jude Bellingham has to break the pair up. Both get a booking.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have brought on Yann Diomande and Aurelien Tchouameni for the closing stages. Trent Alexnader-Arnold and Brahim Diaz make away.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan (CARLOS AUGUSTO 77')
21:38 , Jamie BraidwoodHello?! At long last, Inter Milan get the goal they have been pushing for all night. Game on?
Inter cut through Real Madrid, as they have been doing all night long.
Lautaro Martinez pulls the ball back and finds Carlos Augusto, who rattles in the finish.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:33 , Jamie Braidwood71 mins: Stunning challenge from Bisseck to deny Vinicius after Bellingham slid him throuh on goal. Vinicius would have looked for Mbappe but the challenge was superb.
Bisseck then makes the block with his head to deny a stinging shot from Valverde.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:30 , Jamie Braidwood69 mins: How is it not 3-0! Real Madrid break forward as Bellingham wins the challenge in midfield. It’s unselfish from Vinicius to find Mbappe. then it’s unselfish from Mbappe to find Diaz. But Diaz then puts his finish wide!
Still Real Madrid can’t find a third goal to put this out of sight.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:28 , Jamie Braidwood67 mins: SAVE! Martinez denies Mbappe again! It’s smooth from Real Madrid as they suddenly pounce. Bellingham goes wide to Diaz and Diaz finds Mbappe in the box. Martinez uses his legs to make the save.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:25 , Jamie Braidwood63 mins: Another save from Courtois, this time to deny a low drive form Bastoni. He’s been at his best tonight, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, and has had to be.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:23 , Jamie Braidwood61 mins: Three changes for Inter: Barella, Thurman and Calhanoglu are off. Sucic, Zielinski and Bonny are on.
Zielinski almost sets up a chance for Martinez but his cross is just a touch ahead of the Argentina striker.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:20 , Jamie Braidwood58 mins: HOW?! This is absolutely stunning from Brahim Diaz and it deserves a goal. Diaz wriggles around the outside of Bastoni, showing incredible skill and good feet, before chipping the ball over Martinez. All Bellingham needs to do is head it in, but Martinez makes a brilliant stop to deny his volley and Inter scramble it away.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:17 , Jamie Braidwood55 mins: Barella is given offside, after Inter carved through Real Madrid again. Courtois, for what it’s worth, made a brilliant double-save, but Barella was offside.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:15 , Jamie Braidwood54 mins: How have Inter not scored in this game! Calhanoglu clips a pass through to Martinez and finds the striker in the box. But his touch lets him down and the ball squirms away from him before he can shoot at goal.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:12 , Jamie Braidwood50 mins: Curtis Jones goes close again! Denied by the crossbar in the first half, he is stopped by Courtois in the second. A nice move from Inter saw Jones slipped in but Courtois came out and made himself big to save. Calhanoglu’s cross is then deflected over the bar from Huijsen.
The next goal in this game is crucial.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:11 , Jamie Braidwood48 mins: CHANCE! That was almost game over but Martinez denies Mbappe! A straight ball over the top will only have one winner as Mbappe races onto it. Martinez comes off his line and closes the angle. Mbappe slows down, stops and attempts to shift it wide to find the angle, but Martinez dives left to make the save. That was unreal pace from Mbappe.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:07 , Jamie BraidwoodOne change at the break and it’s for Inter Milan. Josh Stones is on, replacing Benjamin Pavard.
That’s three English players now on the pitch, along with Jones and Alexander-Arnold.
And we’re back underway.
23' GOAL! Fede Valverde tackles goalkeeper Josep Martínez to add second
21:01 , Jamie BraidwoodIf for whatever reason you end up playing in goal for the away team at the Bernabeu, promise me that you will never, ever attempt a back-heel in your own six-yard box while Federico Valverde is closing you down.
Josep Martínez look away.
Valverde capitalises on Martinez’s mistake to double Real Madrid’s lead! 😱
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 8, 2026
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14' GOAL! Kylian Mbappe punishes Curtis Jones error to fire Real Madrid in front
20:58 , Jamie BraidwoodThis was far too casual from Curtis Jones. He put Yann Bisseck in danger, but the centre-back should have been strong, too. The pass forward from Brahim Diaz was swift and Kylian Mbappe made no mistake.
Who else? 😏
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 8, 2026
Kylian Mbappe opens Real Madrid’s Champions League account! ⚽
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HALF TIME! Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:53 , Jamie BraidwoodWell until that late Martinez save, Real Madrid had scored twice from two shots, and both from Inter mistakes.
Inter have been the better side, in terms of dominating possession, but Madrid could be out of sight.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:51 , Jamie Braidwood45+1 mins: STUNNING SAVE! Wow, now that’s redemption for Martinez! Real Madrid counter-attack through Mbappe, who bursts into the box and shoots across goal. Martinez spills as far as Bellingham but then gets up to make the brilliant save from close-range, tipping Bellingham’s effort over the bar!
That keeps Inter in it.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:46 , Jamie Braidwood43 mins: Approching half-time.
Now what if I told you, based on the below, that the light blue team are winning 2-0?
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:43 , Jamie Braidwood39 mins: That is a stunning turn frmom Bellingham to dance away from Calhanoglu, who clatters into the back of him after releasing the ball was long gone. Calhanoglu gets a booking.
OFF THE BAR! Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:41 , Jamie Braidwood36 mins: ALMOST! Nice move from Inter. It’s worked into the box and Jones turns smartly before rattling the shot with his left foot. It grazes the top of the bar!
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:39 , Jamie Braidwood35 mins: Inter look a little shellshocked and have lost their confidence in possession. They were playing some pretty football, only to shoot themselves in the foot on two ocassions. Can they find that spark again to make this a game?
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:37 , Jamie Braidwood32 mins: Brave goalkeeping from Courtois to punch away the free-kick in front of Lautaro Martinez, who was closing in to make the header. Courtois gets a whack for his troubles.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:35 , Jamie Braidwood30 mins: Real Madrid are in the mood now. They’re enjoying themselves by having none of the ball and letting Inter play themselves into trouble. Vinicius does well to get back and pinch the ball from Calhanoglu as he lined up a shot. It sparked the counter but Mbappe couldn’t find the switch of play.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:31 , Jamie Braidwood26 mins: Almost a stunning counter-attack from Real Madrid. Vinicius sparked it with a run down the left but Bisseck made an excellent challenge in the box to deny Mbappe just as it looked as if he was going to slot in his second and Madrid’s third.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan (VALVERDE 23')
20:27 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s another disaster for Inter Milan! Federico Valverde is there to punish the error from goalkeeper Josep Martinez!
This is even worse than the first one. Inter were playing the ball around defence and went back to Martinez.
With Valverde approaching, the goalkeeper attempted a backhell in his own six-yard box. Madness, utter madness.
Valverde gets his reward for chasing down and he sticks out a leg ot make the challenge and poke the ball into the empty net.
Inter have had all off the ball but it has cost them. Two mistakes from Inter in possession see Real Madrid lead 2-0.
Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan
20:24 , Jamie Braidwood20 mins: PENALTY? Vinicius Jr is played through and breaks into the box, with Pavard sliding in to make the challenge. The whistles rise up immediately around the Bernabeu but Michael Oliver waves away the appeals.
It was actually a great challenge from Pavard. He only got ball.
Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan
20:21 , Jamie Braidwood16 mins: Inter will continue to get chances! Courtois makes another save to block Calhanoglu’s powerful free-kick from the edge of the box.
Mbappe is then just offside as he was slipped through behind Bisseck.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan (MBAPPE 14')
20:18 , Jamie BraidwoodHE ONLY NEEDS ONE CHANCE! Mbappe punishes sloppy play from Curtis Jones to fire Real Madrid in front!
That was clinical from Mbappe. Last season’s top scorer in the Champions League is off and running already.
But Jones was caught in possession. The former Liverpool midfielder got too comfortable and put Bisseck in danger with a square pass.
Bisseck should clear, but he misses his tackle. Mbappe was then played through and he burries his finish under Martinez.
The save from Courtois to deny Martinez moments before was crucial.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:17 , Jamie Braidwood12 mins: Suddenly it’s 3 v 2 for Inter! Martinez is allowed to run and run and he strikes low, but Courtois makes the save and there’s no one there to gobble up the rebound.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:16 , Jamie Braidwood11 mins: A wicked ball into the box from Diouf deflects off Huijsen and goes out for a corner, but that could have gone anywhere. Huijsen then has to make another block. Inter are looking threatening.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:13 , Jamie Braidwood9 mins: Real Madrid were happy to stand off Inter but an injection of pace in the press from Mbappe puts Bisseck under pressure and forces the error. If Alexander-Arnold had controlled his first-time pass, Mbappe would have been through on goal.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:09 , Jamie Braidwood5 mins: The defending from Real Madrid from the corner is not convincing, either. Dumfries avoids making the clearance as the ball skids through the six-yard box without the crucial Inter touch.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:08 , Jamie Braidwood3 mins; SAVE! Lovely Inter move! Andy Diouf, the replacement of Denzel Dumfries, gets around the outside of the Real Madrid defence and pulls it back to Marcus Thuram. Thibaut Courtois sticks out a big left arm to make the stop.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:06 , Jamie Braidwood2 mins: Inter Milan begin by controlling the ball. Alexander-Arnold has lined up in midfield, with Valverde and Brahim in front of him and Bellingham behind Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. The Italian side are looking smooth as they work the ball up the pitch before Real Madrid clear the cut-back.
KICK-OFF! Real Madrid v Inter Milan
20:04 , Jamie BraidwoodAnd we’re underway. The visitors, in their traditional blue and black stripes, get us going.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan
20:01 , Jamie BraidwoodBefore kick-off, Luis Figo has some awards to hand out. Arda Guler receives the “Champions League Revelation of the Season” award for last campaign, while Kylian Mbappe gets a Golden Boot for last season’s top scorer. There will also be a moment of silence to recongise the victims of the disastrous flooding in Nepal before kick-off.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan
19:59 , Jamie BraidwoodMichael Oliver is tonight’s referee and he picks up the matchball as the teams walk out onto the Bernabeu pitch. The home fans have been handed white flags and the atmosphere is fantastic. Kylian Mbappe can’t stop the faintest of smiles from spreading across his lips.
I wonder what Jose Mourinho is thinking. He likely thought his days of leading Real Madrid at the Bernabeu were behind him.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan
19:56 , Jamie BraidwoodKick-off is coming up very soon at the Bernabeu. The first night of the Champions League has thrown up a clash of two European champions and an intriguing storyline of Jose Mourinho’s return. Let’s hope it delivers. Kick-off is coming up next.
It’s live to watch on TNT Sports 1 in the UK and HBO Max.
Pre-match reading: The juxtaposition of Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid
19:50 , Jamie BraidwoodMbappe enters his third season at Real Madrid having yet to win a trophy, following another stunning World Cup with France that raises more expectations at the Bernabeu
The juxtaposition of Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid’s defining Champions League season
Jose Mourinho on attempting to win Champions League with Real Madrid
19:45 , Jamie BraidwoodJose Mourinho insisted that he feels no additional pressure to win the Champions League in his second spell as Real Madrid manager.
"No, it is two different spells," Mourinho responded when asked if he felt he owed the Spanish giants a Champions League trophy. "When I left in 2013, we won what we won and lost what we lost, and we gave it our all. And that was that. What I need to do now has nothing to do with the past.
"Back in 2010, we weren’t even reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League and it had been ages since we’d played in a semi-final. Now we’ve won six Champions Leagues in a little over a decade."
Real Madrid v Inter: Trent Alexander v Curtis Jones in midfield
19:40 , Jamie BraidwoodLiverpool will not have any homegrown players in their starting line-up when they host Atletico Madrid at Anfield tomorrow.
But there are two boyhood Liverpool fans lining up in the Bernabeu tonight: Trent Alexander-Arnold with Real Madrid and Curtis Jones with Inter Milan.
They’re set to face each other in midfield, too. Quite a moment for the Liverpool academy, but perhaps not what they expected when both broke into the first team.
Real Madrid v Inter Milan head-to-head
19:30 , Jamie BraidwoodInter Milan have not beaten Real Madrid since November 1998, while their only victory in the Bernabeu came in the 1967-68 quarter-finals. Real Madrid have won four matches in a row against tonight’s opponents with Toni Kroos and Marco Asensio scoring in a 2-0 win in their last meeting in Decemeber 2021.
Last time out: Inter win thriller against Napoli
19:15 , Jamie BraidwoodI’ll sign up for the entertainment Inter provided on Saturday night as they came from behind to beat Napoli at San Siro. Inter, champions of Italy last season, trailed last year’s runner-ups Napoli 2-0 but Lautaro Martinez sparked the fightback. Marcus Thuram then grabbed the equaliser before Martinez scored the winner in stoppage time to complete the comeback. It means Inter join Roma and Lazio with three wins from three so far this season.
Last time out: Real Madrid's first defeat on Mourinho's return
19:08 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter an opening three victories in LaLiga, Real Madrid hit their first bump under Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge when they fell to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis on Friday night. Troy Parrott, the Republic of Ireland striker, grabbed the late winner before Kylian Mbappe missed a late penalty that would have seen Real Madrid nick a point. It means they are already trailing champions Barcelona in LaLiga. They have made a superb start with four wins in a row and 17 goals scored.
Inter Milan XI: Curtis Jones starts for visitors
18:53 , Jamie BraidwoodAs expected, there’s no Federico Dimarco for Inter Milan, but the visitors keep their 3-5-2 formation. There’s a chance in defence with Benjamin Pavard coming into the back-three in place of Manuel Akanji. Former Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones makes his first Champions League start for his new club, while Marcus Thuram is preferred to Pio Esposito alongside captain Lautaro Martinez.
Inter Milan XI: Martinez; Pavard, Bisseck, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, Carlos Augusto; Martinez, Thuram
Real Madrid starting XI: Midfield role for Alexander-Arnold?
18:48 , Jamie BraidwoodTrent Alexander-Arnold in midfield? That’s what is looks like as Jose Mourinho responds to the absence of several of his midfielders by deploying the England international at the base of his midfield diamond. Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr lead the line with Jude Bellingham behind them.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen; Cucurella; Alexander-Arnold; Valverde, Brahim Diaz; Bellingham’ Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
📋 ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2026
✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @Inter_es pic.twitter.com/RCeHf8Frfv
Jose Mourinho reunited with Cristian Chivu
18:45 , Jamie BraidwoodCristian Chivu was one of Jose Mourinho’s enforcers during his time at Inter Milan. Now, the former Romania international is in charge of Inter and faces his former boss Mourinho at the Bernabeau.
“Chivu will always be one of my own,” Mourinho said before tonight’s meeting. “I'm very happy for him and what he's achieving. I'll greet him before and after the game. During the game, it’s all about the match."
What is the team news?
18:32 , Jamie BraidwoodReal Madrid will be witout the suspended Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler. Camavinga and Guler were sent off in Real Madrid’s quarter-final defeat at Bayern Munich last season, while Silva was sent off in City’s last-16 defeat against Real Madrid. With Aurelian Tchouameni also doubtful due to injury, the hosts could be left light in midfield.
For Inter, Federico Dimarco was forced off during Saturday’s clash with Napoli and is not expcted to be available, but there are no other fitness concerns. Former Liverpool midfielder and England international Curtis Jones could make his Champions League debut for Inter Milan.
Good evening and welcome
18:30 , Jamie BraidwoodJose Mourinho and the Champions League. What a pairing.
But it’s been 16 years since Mourinho last lifted European football’s top prize, when he led Inter Milan to glory at the Bernabeu and knocked out Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona along the way.
The victory landed Mourinho the Real Madrid job but the Champions League eluded him. Now, 13 years later, Mourinho is back at the Bernabeu and determined to prove he still has what it takes.
A reunion with Inter sets it all up wonderfully. Kick-off is at 8pm BST in Madrid.
