The players are making ther way out onto the pitch, and kick-off is fast approaching here in Madrid!
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Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler are all suspended for Madrid this evening. Consequently, it's two changes to the starting XI from Mourinho, as Camavinga and Guler started that fixture. In their place come Brahim Diaz and Alexander-Arnold, while Courtois makes his 100th Champions League appearance this evening. Chivu makes five changes to the Inter side that fought back to beat Napoli last time out. Federico DiMarco was forced off in that game and does not feature here, so Augusto starts at left wing-back. Elsewhere, Akanji, Sucic, Zielinski, and Esposito drop to the bench, with Pavard, Jones, Calhanoglu, and Thuram coming in.
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INTER SUBSTITUTES: Aleksandar Stankovic, John Stones, Piotr Zielinski, Petar Sucic, Luis Henrique, Raffaele Di Gennaro, Ange-Yoan Bonny, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Manuel Akanji, Ivan Provedel, Francesco Pio Esposito
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INTER (3-5-2): Josep Martinez; Alessandro Bastoni, Yann Bisseck, Benjamin Pavard; Carlos Augusto, Curtis Jones, Hakan Çalhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Andy Diouf; Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez
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REAL MADRID SUBSTITUTES: Endrick, Andrii Lunin, Aurelien Tchouameni, Alvaro Carreras, Carlos Espi, Antonio Rudiger,Yan Diomande, Sergio Mestre, Thiago Pitarch, Cestero, Mario Rivas
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REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Marc Cucurella, Dean Huijsen, Ibrahima Konate, Denzel Dumfries; Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Vinícius Júnior, Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe
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Chivu enjoyed a brilliant maiden campaign in charge of Inter, who he led to a Serie A and Coppa Italia double in 2025-26. However, their European venture ended in the play-off round when they were knocked out by Bodo/Glimt, so he will be hoping for a much better European campaign this time around. However, the three-time European champions have lost and failed to score in each of their last three Champions League games against Madrid. Only against Barcelona, between 2003 and 2009, have they failed to score in four consecutive European Cup/Champions League games against an opponent. They have lost five of their last six Champions League matches in 2025-26 (W1), as many defeats as across their prior 39 games in the competition combined (W25 D9). They have, though, won all three of their league matches this season, including coming from two goals down to defeat Napoli 3-2 over the weekend - Lautaro Martinez scoring a 91st-minute winner.
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Madrid, 15-time champions of Europe, have started Mourinho's second spell in charge with three wins and a defeat in LaLiga, that loss coming in a 1-0 setback to Real Betis last time out. Under Mourinho, Madrid have scored in 97 per cent of their Champions League matches (35/36), representing the highest percentage by any team with 20-plus matches under a specific manager in the competition. Los Blancos have won all four of their Champions League games against Inter this century, and are the opponent that Inter have faced the most times in major European competition this century without managing a victory.
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This clash promises to be an emotional one for Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese was in charge of the Nerazzurri when they won a famous treble in 2009-10, including beating Bayern Munich 2-0 in the Champions League final at the Bernabeu. If that's not enough lovely context for you, then how about this? Inter boss Cristian Chivu was in Mourinho's starting XI for Inter in that game! Mourinho would depart Inter immediately after the famous triumph to take the Madrid job for the first time.
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Hello and welcome to this mouth-watering Champions League opener between Real Madrid and Inter at Santiago Bernabeu!
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Referee Michael Oliver blows his whistle and we are underway!
1'
SAVED! The first real chance of the game goes the way of Inter. Martinez slips in Diouf, who manages to clip his pass to Thuram, and his half-volley is parried behind by Courtois. The following corner comes to nothing, though.
3'
Bellingham wins a free-kick as Calhanoglu slips and accidentally trips the England midfielder. Alexander-Arnold delivers well and manages to win his side a corner.
5'
Alexander-Arnold goes over to take the corner that his free-kick won. But it's met with a thumping headed clearance from Inter.
7'
Inter have probably looked the more comfortable of the two sides so far in truth. Madrid haven't yet found a good rhythm.
9'
ALMOST AN OWN GOAL! Diouf has made a lively start on the right for Inter, he delivers a low, left-foot cross that Huijsen just about scrambles for a corner, but he didn't know much about it and Courtois was nowhere.
11'
Goal Kylian Mbappé
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Martinez gets a shot away from around 20 yards, which Courtois does well to down to and parry clear.
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Assist Brahim Díaz
14'
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAL! MBAPPE POUNCES! Oh, Inter get themselves into a real mess here! A loose ball is miscontrolled by Bisseck, and Brahim Diaz is onto it like a flash. He slips Mbappe in, and the France ace clinically dispatches his effort past Josep Martinez! Madrid lead 1-0!
14'
It was poor from Inter's point of view, but fair play to Brahim Diaz, who was so quick with his reactions, then had the calmness to play in Mbappe.
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SAVED AGAIN! Inter win a free-kick in "Calhanoglu territory". The Turkey ace strikes it well from about inside the D, and Courtois strongly palms it clear. That one was hit.
16'
Inter got in behind, but Diouf's effort was scuffed. At the other end, Mbappe gets in but this time Inter recover.
18'
PENALTY CLAIM! It's more sloppy play from Inter as Barella is dispossessed by Valverde. Vinicius picks up the loose pass and marauds forward. He goes to ground, but replays show that Pavard makes an unbelievable tackle just as the Brazil ace is about to pull the trigger. Sensational defending.
20'
Honestly, Inter will have no idea how they are losing this. Prior to the goal, the famously impatient Bernabeu crowd was starting to whistle as Madrid were doing very little. But one mistake was punished, and the goal came from Madrid's only shot on target so far.
22'
Goal Federico Valverde
23'
OH NO! JOSEP MARTINEZ WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?! It's another absolute disaster from an Inter point of view! Pavard plays a simple pass back to his goalkeeper, who inexplicably dawdles on the ball, Valverde closes down and makes the tackle, and the ball nestles in the back of the goal! A horrorr show again for Inter, and Madrid now lead 2-0!
23'
Inter win a corner as they attempt to find a way back into the game, but Calhanoglu's delivery is headed away by Konate.
25'
What a tackle again! Madrid come racing forward once more through Vinicius, it's worked to Brahim Diaz, and then into Mbappe, but Bisseck makes a wonderful sliding challenge to deny the shot.
27'
Inter work the ball into the box, and Calhanoglu shapes to shoot before Vinicius gets back well to make an excellent recovery tackle.
29'
It's been such a bizarre game this, Madrid are 2-0 up having barely had to do anything. Another rapid pass from Vinicius almost finds Mbappe, but Inter clear their lines this time.
31'
Inter now have a free-kick in a dangerous position on the right. Courtois palms it away, and needs a bit of treatment after being clattered by a combination of Huijsen and Lautaro Martinez.
33'
Courtois is back on his feet now, and the game resumes.
35'
OFF THE BAR FROM JONES! Augusto finds the former Liverpool man in the penalty area, initially, he can't get hold of it, but it falls back kindly to him when Valverde can't sort his feet out. He lashes his shot from around 10 yards, and it thumps the bar and goes over. That was unlucky.
37'
Yellow Card Hakan Çalhanoglu
39'
Calhanoglu is the first player into the book this evening. Bellingham has his face to goal around 20 yards from his own net, and the Turkey midfielder absolutely clatters him. There's no hard feelings as the two shake hands, but it's an obvious booking.
39'
Half-time is fast approaching, and you sense Inter will need to make something happen before the break to get back into this game. They will not believe they're behind in this one.
41'
Cucurella concedes a corner, which Calhanoglu delivers from the right. Lautaro Martinez meets it, but he heads well over the top.
43'
There will be just one minute of additional time to play in this first half.
45'
HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-0 INTER
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HOW DID THAT STAY OUT?! Another poor pass is pounced on by Mbappe, who drives past three Inter defenders, and hits a low left-foot shot and Josep Martinez saves. Bellingham is the quickest to react, but the goalkeeper somehow keeps out his point-blank effort. Brahim Diaz then meets it, but on the stretch can only hit the ball against the outside of the post. That was mightily close to 3-0!
45'
The half-time whistle goes, and Madrid lead 2-0 against an Inter side, who have been the architects of their own downfall. Mbappe got the ball rolling, as Madrid dispossessed Bisseck, and Brahim Diaz slipped in his team-mate for a 71st Champions League goal that leaves him tied in fifth with Madrid legend Raul for the most in Champions League history. It was 2-0 in the 23rd minute, when Valverde pressed Inter keeper Josep Martinez, and tackled the ball comically into the goal. It was almost 3-0 on the stroke of half-time after more loose work, this time from Calhanoglu, but Josep Martinez this time redeemed himself with two huge saves.
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Well, Madrid have a superior xG of 1.57 to 0.78, but only really because of how sloppy Inter have been. In reality, the visitors have probably been the more assured in possession, but the error count has been far too high. Opta's live win predictor consequently has Madrid's chances of victory as high as 93.3 per cent, with Chivu's men owning just a 1.2 per cent shot of turning it around. Stick with us folks to see if Inter can mount an unlikely comeback at the Bernabeu.
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Substitution Benjamin Pavard John Stones
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Oliver blows his whistle and we are back underway at the Bernabeu!
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Inter make a change at the break as Pavard is replaced by Stones.
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Barella delivs a low cross from the right that Alexander-Arnold puts behind for a corner. Barella takes take, but Madrid clear and break at pace. Mbappe looks to be in, but Josep Martinez is out quick, Mbappe cuts back then hits a sort of tame chip at the goalkeeper. A big moment that potentially, as Inter remain in the game.
48'
SAVED BY COURTOIS! This time it's Inter who get in behind the Madrid defence. Jones is slipped in behind this time, and his left-foot drive is well kept out by Courtois.
50'
ANOTHER CHANCE! Huijsen takes evasive action from Calhanoglu's cross now. Inter's corner initially comes to nothing, but it's recycled and Calhanoglu's driven cross finds Thuram, who side-foots woefully over the top from eight yards! He must do better.
52'
OH TERRIBLE TOUCH! Calhanoglu clips a wonderful ball over the Madrid defence and Lautaro Martinez runs in behind. But his touch is a bad one and it runs away from him. He might have been offside in truth.
54'
Courtois comes up big again, keeping out Laurtaro Martinez's drive and Jones' follow-up. The flag went up, so it wouldn't have counted but Courtois wasn't to know.
56'
HOW HAVE MADRID NOT PUT THIS TO BED! Oh, it was wonderful work from Brahim Diaz, who squirmed to the right byline, clipped the cross to Bellingham, who probably should head it home but takes the touch. He gets his shot away but Josep Martinez brilliantly makes the save, and Dumfries heads over the rebound inside the six-yard box! That should be game over that.
58'
Substitution Hakan Çalhanoglu Piotr Zielinski
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Substitution Marcus Thuram Ange-Yoan Bonny
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Substitution Nicolò Barella Petar Sucic
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Thuram has had a largely quiet evening but did miss one wonderful opportunity to get Inter back in the game. On in his place is Bonny.
60'
Chivu looks to his bench again then with a triple change, as Sucic replaces Barella in the first of those.
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And Calhanoglu also comes off as as Zielinski enters the fray.
60'
OH SO CLOSE AGAIN FOR INTER! It's a wonderful delivery across the face of goal from Augusto. Lautaro Martinez is on the stretch, but he can't quite meet it at the back post.
62'
ANOTHER SAVE! Bastoni takes aim from range, it's well hit and the Belgian makes another fine stop low to his left. Susic's corner causes a bit of havoc but eventually Courtois gathers.
64'
ANOTHER SAVE! Bastoni takes aim from range, it's well hit and the Courtois makes another fine stop low to his left. Susic's corner causes a bit of havoc but eventually Courtois gathers.
64'
SAVED AGAIN! Oh, this second half has been end-to-end. Inter lose the ball again in a dangerous area. Bellingham releases it quick to Brahim Diaz, who cuts back for Mbappe, and his effort is saved by the legs of Josep Martinez, who has really recovered since that first-half error. Alexander-Arnold's corner is then punched away by Inter's keeper.
66'
OH HOW HAVE THEY NOT SCORED AGAIN?! Bellingham does brilliantly to win the ball from Susic, Vinicius then scampers clear. He finds Mbappe, who lays it off to Brahim Diaz, he cuts onto his left foot, and can only bend wide of the far post! They were queuing up there, it should have been game over!
68'
Konate now concedes a corner, and Susic scampers over to the right to swing it in. It's met by the head to Lautaro Martinez, but it was always going wide.
70'
WHAT A TACKLE! Madrid break at speed again, and Vinicius powers into the penalty area. The Brazilian looks like he's about to wrap the game up, and Bisseck makes an outstanding sliding tackle. Alexander-Arnold takes the corner, it comes to Valverde about 30 yards from goal and his powerful effort is headed away by Bisseck, who's in a bit of bother. It was some bravery from the defender.
72'
How there hasn't been a goal in this second half is honestly anyone's guess. It's been more like a basketball game, with the action high-octane and end-to-end. Madrid still lead 2-0, and if Inter are going to do something then it needs to be soon.
74'
Konate now has to head behind as Augusto delivers into the centre. Inter's corner comes to nothing.
76'
Goal Carlos Augusto Zopolato Neves
77'
Assist Lautaro Martínez
77'
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL! AUGUSTO BRINGS INTER BACK INTO IT! Bisseck slips Lautaro Martinez into the right of the area, the striker's ball across the face of goal is met by Augusto, who gets in front of Dumfries and side-foots home! Madrid lead but it's not 2-1!
77'
It's excellent work by Lautaro Martínez, who put one a plate for his team-mate.
Inter are wasting no time here and win a corner now, which Susic delivers and Courtois punches clear. What a game this is.
78'
Yellow Card Dean Huijsen
79'
And Brahim Diaz comes off for close-season arrival Diomande.
79'
Mourinho is taking action here, as Alexander-Arnold is replaced by Tchouameni.
79'
Yellow Card Lautaro Martínez
79'
Huijsen and Martinez get into a bit of afters following a challenge over on the byline. Huijsen goes into the book and you imagine Martinez will too.
79'
And indeed he does. Lautaro Martinez is also booked for those bit of afters with Huijsen.
79'
Diomande almost makes an impact, doing well on the right of the area and testing Josep Martinez with a near-post drive, which the keeper saves with his chest.
81'
Chivu rolls the dice again as Augusto is replaced by the vastly experienced Mkhitaryan, who of course famously fell out with Mourinho when they were together at Manchester United.
83'
Madrid break fast again, and Dumfries' low centre from the right is cleared behind for a corner by Stones. They opt not to put it into the centre and also transpire to accidentally set Inter free from their own set-piece.
85'
Vinicius has copped for some criticism from certain sections of the home crowd this evening. He gets more whistles as he leaves the pitch, but then it's drowned out by applause - including from Mourinho. Carreras is on in his place, eventually. But Madrid took too long with the sub, so he has to wait a minute to come on.
87'
WHAT A SAVE COURTOIS! Inter have the extra man as Madrid wait for Carreras to come on. Mkhitaryan's effort from 25 yards deflects, and Courtois reacts brilliantly to push it clear! Inter's corner comes to nothing, and Carreras is now on.
89'
Mbappe comes off as Espi enters the fray for Madrid.
90'
It's now or never for Inter, can they ekse out just one more opportunity?
90'
There will be three minutes of additional time to play here. Can Madrid hold on? Or will Inter find the equaliser?