Real Madrid Edges Inter Milan 2-1 as Champions League Returns
The UEFA Champions League returned with dramatic opening fixtures as Real Madrid defeated Inter Milan 2-1 and Manchester City secured a 2-0 away win against Porto.
The UEFA Champions League returned on Tuesday with the opening matchday of the group stage, delivering a night filled with goals and high drama as Real Madrid edged Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu and Manchester City secured an away win against Porto.
Early Kickoffs and Tight Contests
The evening opened with two early fixtures at 19:45. Greek side AEK Athens faced Austrian club LASK Linz, a pairing more typical of a lower European competition. The match was decided by a brilliant free-kick into the top corner from Romanian midfielder Răzvan Marin in the 21st minute, securing a 1-0 victory for the home side.
In the parallel fixture, Club Brugge hosted Aston Villa in a crucial encounter for both teams. The first half alone saw four goals, with the English side taking a 3-1 lead into the break. A penalty from Trossard was not enough for the Belgian hosts, who pressed until the final whistle but fell short as Unai Emery's Villa held on for a 3-2 win.
Bernabéu Showdown and City Success
Real Madrid hosted a powerful Inter Milan side at the Santiago Bernabéu. In the 14th minute, Los Blancos capitalized on a defensive error as Brahim Díaz quickly intercepted the ball and fed Kylian Mbappé, who calmly slotted past the goalkeeper to open the scoring. Nine minutes later, Federico Valverde pressured goalkeeper Josep Martínez, whose massive blunder allowed the ball to roll into the net.
«Real Madrid secured a hard-fought victory over Inter Milan, kickstarting their European campaign under the management of José Mourinho.»
Although Inter dominated large stretches of the match, world-class saves by Thibaut Courtois maintained Real's two-goal cushion. Carlos Augusto eventually beat the Belgian goalkeeper following a brilliant cross from Lautaro Martínez, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Despite late pressure from the visitors, Milan failed to find an equalizer as Mourinho claimed his first Champions League victory in his second stint with the Spanish giants.
Meanwhile, Manchester City traveled to Portugal to face Porto at the Estádio do Dragão. Despite a sluggish start for Enzo Maresca's side, Erling Haaland broke the deadlock in the 47th minute and sealed a 2-0 victory with a stoppage-time goal in the 91st minute, marking a successful debut in the competition for the new manager.
Drama in Dortmund and Lille
Borussia Dortmund hosted Villarreal at the Signal Iduna Park in a chaotic encounter. Serhou Guirassy scored a hat-trick—netting twice for his own team and once into his own net—while Gabri Veiga also contributed an own goal, leaving Dortmund to claim a 3-2 victory in a fast-paced thriller.
In France, Lille hosted Real Betis in a match featuring notable family connections, as Lille was managed by Davide Ancelotti, son of Carlo, while Ethan Mbappé started for the French side. Betis ultimately triumphed 3-2 in a dramatic five-goal thriller featuring a brace from Marc Bartra and a decisive winning goal by Troy Parrott in the 53rd minute, before Ethan Mbappé was sent off late in the match.
