Real Madrid began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter at the Santiago Bernabéu. The result was built on a highly productive opening half, followed by a disciplined defensive effort as the Italian side pushed hard for an equaliser after the break.

Inter controlled much of the match in terms of possession, finishing with 64% of the ball and 21 attempts on goal. Yet Real Madrid proved more efficient when opportunities arrived. The Spanish side finished with 2.91 expected goals compared with Inter’s 1.78 and established a 2-0 advantage within the opening 23 minutes.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring after 14 minutes, before Federico Valverde doubled the lead nine minutes later. Inter eventually reduced the deficit through Carlos Augusto in the 77th minute, but Madrid’s defensive organisation prevented the visitors from completing the comeback.

The match was therefore a clear example of how chance quality, efficiency and defensive structure can outweigh possession.

Madrid Strike Twice Before Inter Can Settle

Real Madrid started aggressively despite having relatively little possession during the opening period.

Inter controlled approximately 70% of the ball in the first half, but Madrid produced the more dangerous attacking moments. The hosts registered 1.56 expected goals before half-time, compared with 0.78 for Inter.

The first goal arrived in the 14th minute.

Brahim Díaz provided the final pass for Mbappé, who converted one of his first major opportunities of the evening. The French forward remained a consistent threat and finished with four shots on target from four attempts.

Just nine minutes later, Madrid increased their advantage.

Federico Valverde completed a clean left-footed finish to make it 2-0. The goal arrived during a period when Madrid were making the most of their limited possession and exploiting spaces left by the visitors.

By the interval, Madrid had registered six shots, four of which were on target, while creating four major chances. Inter had produced 11 attempts but failed to convert their pressure into a goal.

Inter Threaten but Cannot Break Through

Inter were not passive during the opening half.

The visitors managed 11 shots and even struck the post, while Thibaut Courtois was required to make three saves. However, several of Inter’s efforts came under pressure or from less favourable positions.

Madrid’s centre-backs were particularly important in dealing with dangerous situations before they developed further. Their ability to clear the ball and protect the central areas prevented Inter’s attacking volume from becoming a greater threat.

The result was a two-goal advantage for Madrid despite their limited possession.

Possession Belongs to Inter, but the Chances Do Not

The overall statistics provide one of the clearest explanations for the result.

Inter completed 621 passes, compared with 353 for Madrid, and recorded 54 entries into the final third against 27 for the hosts. The visitors also attempted 30 crosses and earned 11 corners.

Yet Real Madrid were more efficient in the areas that ultimately determine matches.

Madrid’s eight shots on target compared favourably with Inter’s seven despite taking fewer attempts overall. The hosts also created eight big chances, twice Inter’s total of four.

The difference was particularly significant in the quality of opportunities. Madrid recorded 1.84 expected goals on target, compared with 0.77 for Inter.

This made the Spanish side more dangerous even without controlling possession.

Inter Increase the Pressure After the Break

The second half brought a different pattern.

Inter continued to dominate the ball and pushed Madrid deeper into their defensive half. The visitors created four major chances after the interval and finished the half with 10 shots, matching Madrid’s total.

Manager Cristian Chivu attempted to change the dynamic through substitutions. John Stones replaced Benjamin Pavard at the start of the second half, while Piotr Zieliński, Petar Sučić and Ange-Yoan Bonny were introduced around the hour mark.

The changes helped Inter maintain attacking momentum and increase their presence around Madrid’s penalty area.

Their persistence finally produced a goal in the 77th minute.

Lautaro Martínez created the opportunity for Carlos Augusto, who finished with a low right-footed shot to make the score 2-1.

Suddenly, Madrid’s early advantage was under serious pressure.

Real Madrid Rely on Defensive Discipline

After conceding, Madrid adopted a more pragmatic approach.

Rather than attempting to regain control through possession, the hosts concentrated on protecting their penalty area and limiting the quality of Inter’s final actions.

Madrid recorded 22 clearances in the second half alone and also registered seven goal-kicks. Courtois made four further saves during the period as Inter continued looking for an equaliser.

Inter also produced seven accurate crosses after half-time, attempting to use width to break down Madrid’s defensive structure.

However, the visitors could not find the decisive final touch.

Four Inter players were caught offside during the match, while their missed opportunities from earlier in the game became increasingly costly as time ran out.

Madrid’s defensive organisation ultimately allowed them to survive the pressure and preserve the 2-1 lead.

Brahim Díaz Provides the Creative Spark

Brahim Díaz was particularly influential during Madrid’s strong opening period.

He supplied the assist for Mbappé’s goal and created three major chances, the highest total for either side. He also completed four key passes and hit the post.

His expected-assists figure reached 1.05, highlighting the quality of the opportunities he created for his teammates.

Díaz left the pitch in the 79th minute after playing an important role in establishing Madrid’s early advantage. His performance earned him an 8.2 Sofascore rating.

Mbappé also made a significant contribution. Along with his goal, he registered:

• Four shots on target
• One key pass
• A 7.7 Sofascore rating

Vinícius Júnior provided another important attacking outlet through his ball-carrying ability. He progressed the ball over significant distances, helping Madrid move forward whenever they recovered possession.

Inter Find Their Best Players on the Left

Carlos Augusto was one of Inter’s most productive players.

He scored the team’s only goal, produced three key passes and received a 7.4 Sofascore rating. His attacking contribution from the left helped Inter maintain pressure during the second half.

Lautaro Martínez also played a key role. He provided the assist for Carlos Augusto, created two shooting opportunities for teammates and attempted four shots himself. He completed 39 passes and finished with a 7.3 rating.

Further back, Alessandro Bastoni completed 79 of 82 passes after recording 97 touches, while Yann Bisseck completed 57 of 59 passes and contributed three tackles.

Goalkeeper Josep Martínez also had a busy evening, making six saves and earning a 7.5 rating.

Despite these individual contributions, Inter’s two costly errors in the first half proved more damaging than their statistical superiority in possession.

Valverde Delivers a Complete Performance

Federico Valverde was the highest-rated player on the pitch, receiving an 8.4 Sofascore rating.

The Uruguay international scored Madrid’s second goal and offered considerable control in midfield during a match in which his team spent long periods without the ball.

His passing was particularly efficient. Valverde completed 38 of 39 passes, a success rate of 97%, while remaining active on both sides of the pitch.

His defensive contribution was also valuable:

• 2 successful tackles from 3 attempts
• 1 interception
• 1 clearance
• Only one possession loss
• 50 total touches

He attempted two shots, putting one on target, and recorded 0.35 expected goals and 0.27 expected goals on target.

With Inter controlling possession for much of the match, Madrid needed midfielders capable of remaining calm under pressure while making effective use of their opportunities. Valverde provided exactly that, adding the goal that ultimately separated the two sides.

Courtois Helps Madrid Protect the Lead

Thibaut Courtois also played an important role in the victory.

The Belgian goalkeeper finished with seven saves, including three classified as high-value interventions. His work became particularly important after Inter reduced the deficit late in the match.

The numbers underline how much defensive responsibility Madrid carried. They recorded 33 clearances during the match, compared with 16 from Inter, as they repeatedly dealt with crosses and attacks around the penalty area.

The contrast between the two teams was clear:

• Inter had more possession.
• Inter completed more passes.
• Inter produced more crosses and corners.
• Madrid created more big chances.
• Madrid had the higher expected-goals figure.
• Madrid made fewer costly errors.
• Madrid scored twice during their strongest period.

A Victory Built on Efficiency

Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Inter was not based on dominating possession or controlling every phase of the match.

Instead, the decisive moments came early.

Madrid transformed their best opportunities into two goals before the visitors could establish a comfortable rhythm. Inter then spent much of the remaining match attempting to recover from that disadvantage.

The second half demonstrated Inter’s ability to apply pressure. They controlled the ball, created opportunities and eventually found a goal through Carlos Augusto. But the damage from the opening 23 minutes was difficult to overcome.

Madrid’s defensive work inside the penalty area became increasingly important as the match progressed. Their 33 clearances and Courtois’ seven saves reflected a team willing to defend for long periods when necessary.

The Bigger Picture

The match offered a useful lesson in possession versus efficiency. Inter had the ball for nearly two-thirds of the game, but Madrid generated the better opportunities and converted them at crucial moments.

Brahim Díaz provided creativity, Mbappé supplied the first goal, Valverde added the second, and Courtois helped protect the advantage.

For Inter, the performance contained positive signs in terms of possession, territorial control and second-half pressure. However, missed chances and two errors that directly contributed to Madrid’s goals ultimately proved decisive.

Real Madrid therefore leave the Bernabéu with a valuable Champions League victory — one built less on aesthetics and more on clinical finishing, defensive discipline and the ability to make important moments count.