UCL: Real Madrid, Man City End Matchday 1 With Wins

Real Madrid, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund, Aston Villa and Real Betis all began their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaigns with victories as the league phase got underway on Tuesday.

Real Madrid claimed the biggest result of the opening night, edging Inter Milan 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu in a match that saw Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde score in the first half before Carlos Augusto pulled one back for the Italian side late in the game.

Inter started brightly and had the first clear opportunity when Marcus Thuram tested Thibaut Courtois in the opening minutes, but Real Madrid gradually grew into the contest. The hosts took the lead in the 14th minute after Brahim Díaz won possession and set up Mbappé, who finished with his first touch to put Madrid ahead.

The goal was another milestone for Mbappé, who moved to 71 Champions League goals, drawing level with Real Madrid great Raúl González on the competition’s all-time scoring list.

Real Madrid doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Valverde capitalised on a mistake by Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez. The midfielder pressed the goalkeeper, won possession and turned the opportunity into Madrid’s second goal.

Inter continued to threaten and came close to reducing the deficit before the break, but Madrid goalkeeper Courtois produced several important saves. The hosts also had opportunities to extend their advantage after half-time, with Martínez denying Mbappé and Bellingham among others.

Inter eventually found a way back into the contest in the 77th minute when Carlos Augusto finished a quick attacking move to make it 2-1. The visitors pushed for an equaliser but Madrid held on to claim three points in José Mourinho’s return to the Champions League with the club.

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Manchester City also began their campaign with a victory, beating Porto 2-0 away from home.

After a goalless first half in which Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa produced a number of saves to deny City, Erling Haaland broke the deadlock after the interval. The Norwegian striker headed in a cross from Matheus Nunes before adding his second in stoppage time after being set up by Rayan Aït-Nouri.

The brace took Haaland to 59 Champions League goals, continuing his remarkable scoring record in the competition. He was also named Player of the Match.

Borussia Dortmund were involved in another five-goal thriller, defeating Villarreal 3-2 at home.

The German side took the points after a closely contested encounter that produced five goals. Serhou Guirassy was decisive for Dortmund, scoring twice late in the game to help secure victory.

Aston Villa also made a winning return to the Champions League, beating Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium. John McGinn scored the opening goal of the 2026/27 league phase, while Pau Torres provided two assists as Unai Emery’s side held on for an important away victory.

Real Betis produced another comeback victory, defeating Lille 3-2 in France in their first Champions League appearance in 21 years.

Lille went into half-time ahead, but Marc Bartra scored twice for Betis before Troy Parrott completed the comeback with the winning goal. The Spanish side then had to play the closing stages with 10 men after Ethan Mbappé was sent off, but they held on to claim all three points.

Elsewhere, AEK Athens opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Champions League debutants LASK, with Răzvan Marin scoring the only goal of the game from a free-kick.

The opening round of Matchday 1 continues on Wednesday, with Barcelona hosting Feyenoord, Liverpool facing Atlético Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain taking on Slovan Bratislava, Sporting CP meeting Galatasaray and Napoli playing Arsenal.