Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, with Kylian Mbappe and Fede Valverde scoring for the Spanish side. Inter's Carlos Augusto pulled one back in the second half, but Madrid held on to take all three points at the Santiago Bernabeu. The match, which saw several crucial saves from both goalkeepers, marked Mourinho's return to the Champions League after two seasons without a major trophy.

The result is significant as it marks Mourinho's first win in charge of Real Madrid since his return to the club in 2023. The Portuguese coach led Inter Milan to Champions League glory in 2010, the last time either team or he lifted the trophy. Madrid president Florentino Perez brought Mourinho back to try and reverse the club's recent slump, and the win provides a positive start to the league phase.

The match was characterized by two key errors from Inter's defense, which allowed Madrid to take a two-goal lead. Mbappe scored in the 14th minute after a poor pass from Curtis Jones, and Valverde added a second in the 34th minute when Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez hesitated despite the Uruguay international charging straight for him. Martinez made amends for his mistake with a sensational save to deny Jude Bellingham in the first half.

Inter, managed by Simone Inzaghi, struggled to find an equalizer despite their energetic start. Carlos Augusto's goal in the 77th minute gave the visitors hope, but Madrid's defense, led by Thibaut Courtois, held firm. Courtois made several crucial saves, including a deflection from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, to ensure the win.

The match ended with Madrid fans expressing frustration over a delayed substitution for Alvaro Carreras, as Vinicius Jr took too long to come off. The result sets the stage for Madrid's next Champions League fixture, though the outcome of this opener remains unclear in terms of its impact on the broader campaign.

What remains unknown is whether this result will have a lasting impact on Madrid's Champions League campaign. While the win provides momentum, the performance of both teams suggests that the competition will be highly competitive. The match also highlights the importance of defensive discipline and goalkeeper quality in the Champions League, with both Courtois and Martinez playing pivotal roles in the outcome.