Real Madrid v Inter Milan
Play By Play
The full-time whistle goes, and wow what a second half that was! Madrid get over the line to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu, but that game could have had so many goals. Inter gifted first-half goals to Mbappe and Valverde, despite having acquitted themselves pretty well. Brahim Diaz and Bellingham had great chances to stretch Madrid's lead, while Thuram had the best of a series of Inter chances after the break. Augusto finally took one of those, getting ahead of Dumfries to convert Lautaro Martinez's centre. Madrid had the superior xG of 2.91 to Inter's 1.78, but that was largely due to the visitors gifting opportunities in the first half. Madrid had fewer shots (16 to 21) but did have more on target (eight to seven). It was an absolutely barnstorming fixture, but it's Mourinho and his Madrid side celebrating against his former employers. Thank you for joining us for this one folks, until next time!
FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-1 INTER
Bisseck absolutely clatters Cucurella as he attempts to get the ball from the full-back. There was a bit of frustration in that, and the Madrid players were not too happy.
Mbappe comes off as Espi enters the fray for Madrid.
It's now or never for Inter, can they ekse out just one more opportunity?
There will be three minutes of additional time to play here. Can Madrid hold on? Or will Inter find the equaliser?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And indeed he does. Lautaro Martinez is also booked for those bit of afters with Huijsen.
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.
And Brahim Diaz comes off for close-season arrival Diomande.
Mourinho is taking action here, as Alexander-Arnold is replaced by Tchouameni.
Inter are wasting no time here and win a corner now, which Susic delivers and Courtois punches clear. What a game this is.
It's excellent work by Lautaro Martínez, who put one a plate for his team-mate.
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!
Konate now has to head behind as Augusto delivers into the centre. Inter's corner comes to nothing.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
