Real Madrid take 2-0 half-time lead over Inter in Champions League league phase

Real Madrid lead Inter 2-0 at half-time in their Champions League league-phase match after goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde, with Thibaut Courtois making several important saves to protect his side’s advantage.

Inter had created the greater volume of attempts, registering six shots to Real Madrid’s one, but they were punished by two costly errors. Mbappe opened the scoring after Brahim Diaz intercepted a loose pass from the Inter defence and released the France forward, who ran clear before placing his finish into the left side of the net.

Real Madrid doubled their lead when Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez took too long over a pass. Valverde pressed, won possession and finished into the empty goal.

Inter had threatened before and after the goals. Marcus Thuram forced Courtois into a strong save from inside the area, while Lautaro Martinez tested the Real Madrid goalkeeper with a long-range effort that was also kept out.

Hakan Calhanoglu was central to much of Inter’s attacking play. His corner from the right found Lautaro Martinez, whose header went over the crossbar. Another delivery from the left was cleared by the Real Madrid defence, while a further corner from the right evaded everyone and passed harmlessly across the area.

Calhanoglu also came close from a free-kick awarded after Lautaro Martinez was fouled just outside the penalty area. His powerful effort was brilliantly saved by Courtois. The Inter midfielder was later booked for a strong challenge on Jude Bellingham.

Inter continued to apply pressure as the half progressed. Curtis Jones saw a shot from inside the penalty area strike the right post before going out for a goal-kick, while another effort from him was blocked by the Real Madrid defence. Andy Diouf sent one attempt over the bar from inside the area and had another effort from distance deflected.

Real Madrid appealed for a penalty during one attack, but the referee waved play on. Their main threat came from quick transitions, with Mbappe’s pace proving decisive for the opening goal.

At the other end, Nicolo Barella was caught offside after positioning himself beyond the Real Madrid defensive line. Inter also won a series of corners, finishing the half with three compared with Real Madrid’s one, but could not turn that territorial pressure into a goal.

Courtois required treatment during the half, causing a brief pause in play, but he was able to continue. Real Madrid also won free-kicks after fouls on Bellingham, including one in the defensive half and another in an advanced position. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered the latter into the box, but Inter cleared it for a corner. His corner from the left was also dealt with by the Inter defence.

There was one minute of added time at the end of the first half. Real Madrid almost added a third before the interval when Mbappe’s effort from inside the area was superbly saved by Josep Martinez. Bellingham followed up with another shot, but the Inter goalkeeper stopped that too, and the defence cleared the ball for a corner. The set-piece was not taken because the referee blew for half-time.