TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scored as Real Madrid held on to beat Inter Milan 2-1 in their opening Champions League league-phase match at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois making a series of crucial saves to secure the victory.
Courtois made seven saves as Real Madrid survived sustained pressure from the Italian champions. The result puts Real Madrid fifth in the Champions League league-phase standings with three points, while Inter Milan are 34th, according to UEFA records cited by Antara.
Inter started brightly and created the first opportunities of the match, with Courtois denying Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez. The Belgian goalkeeper, making his 100th Champions League appearance, continued to play a key role throughout the match.
Real Madrid took the lead in the 14th minute through Mbappe. According to BBC Sport, the France captain produced a clinical finish from just inside the box for his 71st goal in 99 Champions League appearances.
Mbappe's goal moved him joint-fifth on the all-time Champions League and European Cup scoring list alongside Real Madrid legend Raul, who also scored 71 goals in the competition. Only Karim Benzema, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more.
Real Madrid doubled their advantage nine minutes later after a costly error by Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez. Federico Valverde took advantage of the mistake to dispossess the goalkeeper and tap the ball into an empty net in the 23rd minute.
BBC Sport reported that Martinez partially made amends before halftime, producing a double save to deny Mbappe and Jude Bellingham before Real Madrid were also denied by the post.
Inter continued to threaten, with Hakan Calhanoglu testing Courtois from a free kick and Curtis Jones hitting the crossbar. Courtois also denied further attempts from Inter as the visitors continued to search for a way back into the match.
Real Madrid had opportunities to put the game beyond Inter's reach. Bellingham missed a clear chance to make it 3-0, while Martinez saved another attempt from the England midfielder and later denied Mbappe.
Inter eventually reduced the deficit in the 77th minute when Carlos Augusto found the net to make it 2-1.
The goal set up a tense finish as Inter pushed for an equalizer. Real Madrid, however, managed to withstand the pressure and preserve the victory.
Despite the three points, BBC Sport noted that Real Madrid supporters were unhappy with their team's performance and made their frustration known during the match.
The victory nevertheless gives Jose Mourinho's side a positive start to their Champions League campaign, while Courtois' performance proved decisive in ensuring Real Madrid avoided conceding a late equalizer.
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