Real Madrid 2-1 Inter: Mbappé Matches Raúl in Mourinho’s Champions League Return

Real Madrid began their 2026–27 UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2–1 victory over Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. The scoreline matters: despite suggestions of a 3–2 thriller, the reported final was 2–1, with Madrid establishing a two-goal first-half lead before surviving a late Inter push.17

Mbappé and Valverde built the decisive lead

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Federico Valverde added Madrid’s second nine minutes later, in the 23rd, giving the hosts a 2–0 halftime advantage.112

Madrid had further opportunities to extend that lead, but Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez repeatedly denied them, according to the club’s match report. That failure to add a third gave Inter a route back into the contest.12

Carlos Augusto reduced the deficit in the 77th minute. Madrid ultimately held on, but the late goal turned a controlled opening spell into a nervy conclusion.17

Mbappé reaches 71 Champions League goals

Mbappé’s opener was his 71st goal in the European Cup/Champions League, moving him level with Real Madrid great Raúl González as the joint-fifth highest scorer in the competition’s history.710

At the end of the match, only four players stood above them on the all-time list:

• Cristiano Ronaldo — 140 goals
• Lionel Messi — 129
• Robert Lewandowski — 109
• Karim Benzema — 90

Mbappé reached 71 in 99 appearances, while Raúl recorded his 71 goals in 142 appearances.10

The milestone gave Madrid’s opening win an extra historical dimension: Mbappé was not simply the first scorer of a new European campaign, but was also level with one of the club’s defining Champions League figures.

A winning return against Mourinho’s former club

The victory also carried particular meaning for José Mourinho. He began his second Champions League spell as Real Madrid manager with a win over Inter, a club he previously led to the 2010 Champions League title.611

Madrid’s early goals put Mourinho’s team in control, but Inter’s late strike demanded the sort of game management that is often central to European knockout-style football. The result delivered Madrid’s first three points of the league phase and an important early statement at home.12

What the match confirmed — and what remains unverified

The supported match record is clear: Real Madrid won 2–1; Mbappé scored in the 14th minute; Valverde followed in the 23rd; and Carlos Augusto scored Inter’s late consolation.1712

Claims about a 3–2 final score, a detailed list of Madrid suspensions and injuries, specific lineup changes, or Inter’s reported domestic run were not substantiated by the match reporting provided. They should not be treated as established parts of this match narrative without additional verification.

For Madrid, though, the verified takeaway is substantial: a winning Champions League start under Mourinho, two early goals against elite opposition, and another major landmark for Mbappé.110