Real Madrid begin their 2026-27 UEFA Champions League campaign at home to Inter Milan on Tuesday, September 8. The two European heavyweights meet at the Santiago Bernabéu in the opening round of the league phase, with kickoff scheduled for 9 p.m. CEST.
The Real Madrid vs Inter Milan Champions League opener is now over, with Madrid securing a 2-1 win to begin the league phase.
Real Madrid Confirmed Lineup
Real Madrid have confirmed their starting XI for the Champions League opener against Inter Milan, with José Mourinho making several changes from the predicted lineup.
Thibaut Courtois starts in goal, with Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella forming the back four. Trent Alexander-Arnold starts alongside captain Federico Valverde in midfield, while Brahim Díaz, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. support Kylian Mbappé in attack.
Confirmed Real Madrid XI:
Thibaut Courtois; Denzel Dumfries, Ibrahima Konaté, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Federico Valverde (c), Brahim Díaz; Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Jr., Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid substitutes are Andriy Lunin, Mestre, Endrick, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Álvaro Carreras, C. Espí, Antonio Rüdiger, Ousmane Diomande, Thiago, Cestero and Mario Rivas.
Inter Milan Confirmed Lineup
Inter Milan have also confirmed their starting XI for the Champions League meeting with Real Madrid, with Cristian Chivu selecting Pio Esposito alongside Lautaro Martínez in attack.
Josep Martínez starts in goal, with Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni among the defensive options. Andy Diouf, Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zieliński, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Carlos Augusto make up the midfield, while Pio Esposito and Lautaro Martínez lead the attack.
Confirmed Inter Milan XI:
Josep Martínez; Andy Diouf, Alessandro Bastoni, Manuel Akanji, Yann Bisseck, Carlos Augusto; Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zieliński, Hakan Çalhanoğlu; Pio Esposito, Lautaro Martínez.
Inter Milan substitutes are Curtis Jones, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Stankovic, Bonny, Sučić, Di Gennaro, Benjamin Pavard, Provedel, John Stones, Luis Henrique, Marcus Thuram and Federico Dimarco.
Real Madrid vs Inter Live Score and Updates
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
Kickoff: 9 p.m. CEST
Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid
Competition: UEFA Champions League, League Phase, Matchday 1
1′ Kickoff: Real Madrid and Inter Milan get underway in Madrid.
3′ Tactical Setup: Trent Alexander-Arnold moves into a deep midfield role for Real Madrid, while Inter’s Curtis Jones lines up in midfield.
6′ Early Possession: Inter Milan enjoy more of the ball and circulate possession comfortably through midfield as Real Madrid maintain their defensive shape.
10′ Free Kick: Real Madrid are awarded a free kick.
12′ Corner Kick: Inter win a corner and send players into the penalty area.
12′ Shot Off Target: Inter’s effort from 15 meters takes a deflection and goes wide.
13′ Shot on Target: Inter create a clear chance from 10 meters, but the effort is saved.
14′ Shot on Target: Kylian Mbappé tests the Inter goalkeeper.
14′ Goal – Real Madrid 1-0 Inter: Real Madrid take the lead with an emphatic finish from 10 meters inside the box.
Federico Valverde Goal: Real Madrid 2-0 Inter. Valverde smashes home from 10 meters inside the penalty area to double Madrid’s lead.
45’+2′ Shot on Target: Real Madrid test Inter’s goalkeeper with a dangerous effort from 10 meters, but it is saved.
45’+2′ Shot on Target: Kylian Mbappé fires a low drive from 15 meters, but his effort is saved.
45’+2′ Half-Time: Real Madrid lead Inter 2-0 at the break after clinical goals from Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde.
45′ Kickoff: The second half gets underway at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Real Madrid leading Inter 2-0.
45′ Substitution – Inter: John Stones replaces Benjamin Pavard as Cristian Chivu makes an immediate defensive change.
59′ Offside – Inter: Marcus Thuram is flagged offside after mistiming his run along the wing.
60′ Substitution – Inter: Ange-Yoan Bonny replaces Marcus Thuram in attack.
60′ Substitution – Inter: Piotr Zielinski comes on for Hakan Calhanoglu in midfield.
60′ Substitution – Inter: Petar Sucic replaces Nicolo Barella in midfield.
61′ Offside – Inter: Inter are caught beyond the defensive line near the touchline, ending another attacking move.
77′ Goal – Inter 1-2 Real Madrid: Carlos Augusto pulls one back for Inter with a crisp right-footed finish from 10 meters, assisted by Lautaro Martínez.
78′ Corner – Inter: Inter win a corner as they push for an equalizer.
79′ Substitution – Real Madrid: Aurélien Tchouaméni replaces Trent Alexander-Arnold.
79′ Substitution – Real Madrid: Yan Diomande comes on for Brahim Díaz.
79′ Yellow Card – Real Madrid: Dean Huijsen is booked for unsporting behavior.
79′ Yellow Card – Inter: Lautaro Martínez receives a caution for unsporting behavior.
82′ Free Kick – Inter: Inter are awarded a free kick as they continue searching for an equalizer.
83′ Substitution – Inter: Henrikh Mkhitaryan replaces Carlos Augusto.
90+4′ Free Kick – Real Madrid: Real Madrid are awarded a free kick late in stoppage time.
90+4′ Yellow Card – Inter: Yann Bisseck is booked for serious foul play.
90+4′ Full Time: Real Madrid defeat Inter 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan Result: Champions League Live Score, Updates