Inter Milan’s defensive mistakes led to a 2-1 defeat against Real Madrid in the first match of the 2026-27 Champions League group stage. Kylian Mbappé, who was awarded the Golden Boot as last season’s top scorer just before kick-off, scored the opening goal in the 14th minute, taking advantage of a blunder by Yann Bisseck.
With this goal, Mbappé now shares the fifth spot on the all-time Champions League scoring list with Real Madrid icon Raúl, boasting 71 goals. Inter’s defensive lapses were costly; just nine minutes after the first goal, goalkeeper Josep Martínez inadvertently handed Real Madrid a second goal, which Federico Valverde netted.
Although Inter Milan dominated possession and managed to reduce the deficit with a goal from Carlos Augusto in the 77th minute, they failed to secure an equalizer at Santiago Bernabéu. In other matches, Erling Haaland scored twice to guide Manchester City to a 2-0 victory over Porto, marking his 58th and 59th goals in the Champions League, surpassing German legend Thomas Müller for seventh place on the all-time list.
Real Betis pulled off a thrilling 3-2 comeback against Lille, highlighted by Marc Bartra’s brace and Troy Parrott’s decisive goal shortly after halftime. Borussia Dortmund edged Villarreal 3-2 thanks to a late double from Serhou Guirassy, who also netted an own goal in stoppage time.
AEK Athens celebrated their first Champions League win in two decades with a 1-0 victory against LASK, courtesy of Răzvan Marin’s free-kick. Aston Villa triumphed over Club Brugge 3-2, with John McGinn’s goal making him the club’s all-time leading scorer in UEFA competitions.
2026-27 Champions League Schedule
- Matchday 1: Sept. 8-10
- Matchday 2: Oct. 13-14
- Matchday 3: Oct. 20-21
- Matchday 4: Nov. 3-4
- Matchday 5: Nov. 24-25
- Matchday 6: Dec. 8-9
- Matchday 7: Jan. 19-20
- Matchday 8: Jan. 27
Knockout Phase Playoffs: Feb. 16-17 and Feb. 23-24
Round of 16: March 9-10 and March 16-17
Quarterfinals: April 6-7 and April 13-14
Semifinals: April 27-28 and May 4-5
Final: June 5 (Madrid)
Fan Take: This match highlights the significance of defensive solidity in high-stakes games and sets the tone for a thrilling Champions League campaign. With elite players like Mbappé shattering records, fans can expect fierce competition and memorable moments throughout the tournament.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
