Real Madrid vs Inter Milan LIVE
Two European heavyweights served up an entertaining Champions League clash as Real Madrid held on against Inter to seal victory in the opening round of league phase action on Tuesday night. Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde were both on target in the first half, though Thibaut Courtois was the star of the show.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper was kept busy all night, making saves from Curtis Jones, Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu. He was eventually beaten with 13 minutes of normal time remaining, but Carlos Augusto’s goal proved a mere consolation as the damage done in the first half was decisive.
Victory for Jose Mourinho against his former club was the perfect response to the LaLiga loss to Real Betis last time out. Inter, meanwhile, have seen their unbeaten start come to and end. Next up for both sides in this competition is AS Roma and Club Brugge respectively when the Champions League resumes in October after the first international break of the season. Follow Real Madrid vs Inter Milan LIVE back with Standard Sport's dedicated match blog.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan latest news
- GOAL! Augusto pulls one back for Inter
- GOAL! Valverde pounces on Martinez mistake
- GOAL! Mbappe puts Real Madrid ahead
Real Madrid hold on for win
22:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde both scored as Real Madrid beat Inter Milan, though Thibaut Courtois was the star of the show.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper was kept busy all night on matchday one of the league phase in this season’s Champions League, making saves from Curtis Jones, Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu.
Courtois was eventually beaten with 13 minutes of normal time remaining, but Carlos Augusto’s goal proved a mere consolation as the damage done in the first half was decisive.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
FULL-TIME!
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+3 min: Bisseck booked for a tackle on Cucurella. To be fair, the Spaniard instigated that.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90+2 min: Madrid winding down the clock as Espi comes on for Mbappe to see this game out.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:52 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
90 min: Into three minutes of added time as Courtois is called into action again, keeping out Diouf’s cross at the near post.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
89 min: The new rules mean Madrid are down to ten-men until the ball goes out of play and Inter are frustrating the home supporters. Carreras is now on but only after Courtois denies Mkhitaryan.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
87 min: Vini Jr. departs to some applause and some whistles from the Real Madrid fans. Carreras is on in the Brazilian’s place, well eventually he will be as Vini took far too long to leave the pitch.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:46 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
84 min: Real Madrid on the counter, Dumfries has two team-mates to aim for in the middle but Stones is there to turn the ball behind for a corner.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:44 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
83 min: Augusto makes way for Mkhitaryan in the final Inter change of the night.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
82 min: Nearly an immediate impact from Diomande but he runs out of room in the area after drawing a save from Martinez. Less than 10 minutes remaining and this game is in the balance.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
80 min: Augusto with a lovely cross into the danger zone but Martinez had made his run to yhe near post. Inter certainly have the bit between their teeth now.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:41 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
79 min: Real Madrid respond to that Inter goal with a double change as Tchouameni and Diomande replace Alexander-Arnold and Brahim Diaz.
Meanwhile, Martinez and Huijsen are booked for a bit of afters.
Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
21:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
77 min: Finally, Inter get on the scoresheet and Thibaut Courtois can do nothing about this one. Good play from Lautaro Martinez down the right and his cross is turned home by Carlos Augusto.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan | Carlos Augusto ‘76
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
76 min: INTER HAVE ONE BACK!
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:37 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
76 min: Real Madrid changes are on the way.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
72 min: Valverde strikes the ball with true venom and Bisseck, bravely, gets in the way and takes it flush. His headband flew off and he looked in shock.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
71 min: CLOSE!
Martinez gets a touch on a corner at the front post but glances a header wide. At the other end, Vini Jr is clean through but Bisseck gets back with a fine recovery tackle to conced a corner.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
68 min: Martinez looks to pick out the corner but his shot hits Bonny. At the other end, Brahim Diaz rolls an effort wide after being teed up by Mbappe. Chances at both ends.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
66 min: SAVE!
Martinez has redeemed himself for Real Madrid’s second goal as he makes another good stop to deny Mbappe a second.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
63 min: Courtois gets down low to tip Bastoni’s effort behind for a corner and is then grateful to dive onto the ball following the delivery as Sucic hoped his header would crawl over the line.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
61 min: Triple Inter change sees Bonny, Zielinski and Sucic replace Barella, Calhanoglu and Thuram.
Zielinski straight into the thick of things as his cross just evades Martinez on the stretch at the back post.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
58 min: WHAT A SAVE!
Superb play from Brahim Diaz and he stands a ball up to the back post for Jude Bellingham, he has an empty net but takes a touch before shooting, allowing Martinez to make a flying save.
Inter still in this.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
57 min: Sounds strange to say given the scoreline but Real Madrid enjoy a period of possession as Bellingham can’t find a yard to get a shot away and Alexander-Arnold is closed down.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
55 min: Martinez beats the Real Madrid offside trap, far too easily, but takes a heavy first touch and can’t bring the ball under control. The Inter captain is in again but is denied by Courtois who then gets up to block Jones’ shot.
Offside flag was raised, so it’s all academic.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
51 min: CHANCE!
Lovely first time cross from Calhanoglu right into the path of Thuram who shoots over from close range. Inter have done everything but score tonight.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:12 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
50 min: Jones went close to a goal in the first half and is denied by Courtois right at the start of the second. Good goalkeeping from the Belgian as he spread himself and repelled Jones’ powerful effort.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
49 min: Unreal turn of pace from Mbappe as he gets to the ball before Diouf despite looking second best, but the Inter goalkeeper bails out his defence, somewhat fortunate, but all saves count.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
21:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
47 min: Inter trailed 2-0 on Saturday against Napoli but fought back to win 3-2 after Chivu made some half-time changes. Will history repeat itself tonight?
KICK-OFF!
21:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Back underway in Madrid.
Stones has replaced Pavard for Inter Milan. That’s three Englishmen on the pitch right now.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan highlights
21:02 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Have a look at some of the best images from an interesting first half at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Fan reaction: Vini Jr change
21:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
VINI JR has been a demon off the ball today.
— WolfRMFC (@WolfRMFC) September 8, 2026
Fan thoughts: Mourinho tactics
21:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Nice beautiful modern football by Inter.
— ThePhoenix (@Phoenix9169) September 8, 2026
Who cares about the scoreline.
It's important to build out from the back, not to panic.
Mourinho parked the bus, dinosaur football..
Fan reaction: Mourinho praise
20:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
We are winning 2-0 and Vinicius junior is still tracking back to defend and stopping a potential inter Milan goal scoring opportunity.
— lobistars🇳🇬 (@john322226) September 8, 2026
Jose Mourinho, what are you cooking with these players ? Fantabulous
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan highlights
20:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
A moment Josep Martinez will want to forget in a hurry.
What was the Inter goalkeeper thinking??!?
Valverde capitalises on Martinez’s mistake to double Real Madrid’s lead! 😱
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 8, 2026
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/zLm4vXZ7Wv
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan highlights
20:54 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Error from Yann Bisseck which was duly punished by Kylian Mbappe.
Who else? 😏
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 8, 2026
Kylian Mbappe opens Real Madrid’s Champions League account! ⚽
📺 Watch live on TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/JbyIB0KOeu
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
HALF-TIME
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:51 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45+1 min: CHANCES!
Mbappe, superb, faces up Calhanoglu and then speeds past the Inter Milan midfielder only for Martinez to parry his effort into the path of Bellingham who is denied a goal by a superb reaction stop from the Inter keeper.
On the rebound, Brahim hits the post.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:49 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
45 min: Into one minute of stoppage time as Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick is headed up by Konate but comes to nothing.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:48 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
44 min: Diouf and Thuram combine down the right, latter’s first touch means he loses a good angle and his shot is blocked for a corner from which Martinez heads over the bar.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:43 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
39 min: Jones is showing some nice touches and flicks but overruns the ball slightly before Calhanoglu goes into the book for a foul on Bellingham as Real Madrid looked to counter.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
38 min: Inter have had more shots and have dominated possession, but are 2-0 down thanks to their own undoing. Football, eh?
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
36 min: Jones does really well inside the box to hold off Valverde and get a shot away, but his effort goes over. So unlucky.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:39 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
35 min: Nice sweeping pass from Jones out to the left-hand side for C.Augusto but he overhits his cross into the middle. Inter win the ball back immediately but are forced all the way back to Martinez who, this time, doesn’t get caught in possession by Mbappe - only just though!
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:36 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
32 min: Vini Jr doing some defensive work, unfortunately it comes at the cost of a free-kick as he fouls Barella and Inter have a free-kick in a promising position, Calhanoglu to take.
He aims for Martinez but Courtois is brave and takes an elbow in the face for his efforts.
Flag is up for offside anyway but the Real Madrid goalkeeper needs a moment.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:34 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
30 min: Last season’s Champions League top scorer is up and running for the new campaign.
Can Mbappe beat his total of 15?
🏆 2025/26 UCL Top Scorer: Kylian Mbappé
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 8, 2026
🏆 2025/26 UCL Revelation of the Season: Arda Güler#UCL pic.twitter.com/6QGCu74049
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:32 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
28 min: NO PENALTY!
Calhanoglu thinks he’s been tripped in the box but referee Michael Oliver says no and replays show the Inter Milan midfielder kicked the back of Vini Jr’s leg.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:31 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
27 min: Nearly a third goal for Real Madrid on the counter but Mbappe never really had the ball under control and Pavard got back to make a last ditch tackle.
Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan
20:28 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
24 min: Oh dear, a truly shocking goal for Inter Milan to concede as Josep Martinez tries to turn away from Federico Valverde in his own box but the Real Madrid captain gets a touch on the ball and doubles the lead.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Inter Milan | Federico Valverde ‘23
20:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
23 min: VALVERDE DOUBLES REAL MADRID’S LEAD!
Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan
20:26 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
22 min: Wonderful cushioned pass from Martinez right to Jones in the box, but the new Inter Milan turns and sees his shot blocked.
Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan
20:24 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
20 min: Inter Milan, quite simply, have not done a lot wrong in the opening 20 minutes but find themselves a goal down and Pavard has to come across to make a superb tackle on Vini Jr inside the box.
Nervy moment for the Inter defence.
Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan
20:21 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
17 min: Calhanoglu takes the free-kick and smashes the ball as hard as he can, but Courtois beats it away. Diouf then mis-kicks an effort at the back post. Good response from the visitors.
Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan
20:19 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
16 min: Chance for Inter to hit back immediately as Martinez is brought down for a free-kick just outside the box.
Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
15 min: It’s a goal against the run of play as Bisseck gifts the ball to Brahim Diaz and he puts Mbappe through and the Frenchman does not miss from close range.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Inter Milan | Kylian Mbappe ‘14
20:18 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
14 min: Kylian Mbappe puts Real Madrid ahead!
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
13 min: Courtois called into action once more to deny Martinez. Inter had a 3vs2 situation there, effort from the Inter captain was straight at the Real Madrid captain.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:16 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
12 min: Diouf is causing Cucurella all sorts of problems, this time his cross bounces off Huijsen and goes behind for a corner. That could have gone anywhere.
Bellingham makes first contact from the corner but Inter regain possession as Calhanoglu sees a shot blocked before Thuram is penalised for a foul on Dumfries at the back post.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:13 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
9 min: Patient play from Inter, moving the ball from side-to-side. However, they turn the ball over and Madrid look to counter but Mbappe, as quick as he is, can’t keep the ball in play.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:11 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
7 min: Real Madrid coming into it now, forcing a couple of set-pieces in quick succession but yet to really test this Inter defence.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:08 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
4 min: Calhanoglu lines one up from long range and his effort does not test Courtois. Good start from the Serie A champions, Diouf in particular, looks very sharp down the right-hand side.
Real Madrid 0-0 Inter Milan
20:07 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
3 min: CHANCE!
Inter have settled the quicker of the two teams as Courtois makes a fine stop to keep out an effort from Thuram.
KICK-OFF!
20:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Away we go!
Real Madrid vs Inter
20:03 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
UEFA pay tribute to the victims of the devastating flash floods that struck Nepal. A moment of silence was be held before kick-off, with a banner reading "You are not alone Nepal" displayed ahead of kick-off.
Real Madrid vs Inter
20:01 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Luis Figo, formerly of both Real Madrid and Inter Milan, presents Arda Guler and Kylian Mbappe with two individual awards before kick-off.
Mbappe scored 15 goals in the Champions League last season, winning the Golden Boot in the process.
Real Madrid vs Inter
19:58 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Interesting to note that in the tunnel area, Curtis Jones and Trent Alexander-Arnold were stood side by side, but there was no exchange between the former Liverpool team-mates.
HERE WE GO!
19:57 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams are out at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Special night awaits
19:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Champions League nights at the Santiago Bernabeu are always special.
🔥 ¡Llegó la hora de la Champions!@adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/Zne1HZHRDu
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2026
Results
19:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Two results to bring you from today’s early kick-offs.
Aston Villa have edged past Club Brugge to pick up their first win of the new season, while AEK Athens have beaten LASK at home.
Kick-off approaching in Madrid
19:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
15 minutes to go until kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Champions League: Inter Milan league phase fixtures
19:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
08/09 - Real Madrid (a)
13/10 - Club Brugge (h)
21/10 - Shakhtar Donetsk (h)
03/11 - Feyenoord (a)
25/11 - Stuttgart (h)
09/12 - Borussia Dortmund (a)
19/01 - Liverpool (h)
27/01 - Slovan Bratislava (a)
Champions League: Real Madrid league phase fixtures
19:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
08/09 - Inter Milan (h)
14/10 - Roma (a)
21/10 - RB Leipzig (h)
04/11 - AEK Athens (a)
24/11 - PSV (h)
09/12 - Arsenal (a)
19/01 - LASK (h)
27/01 - Shakhtar Donetsk (a)
Team news reminder
19:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is how both teams will line-up tonight.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde, Bellingham; Brahim, Mbappe, Vini Jr.
Substitutes: Lunin, Mestre, Endrick, Tchouameni, A.Carreras, Espi, Rudiger, Diomande, Thiago, Cestero, Rivas
Inter Milan XI: J.Martinez; Pavard, Bisseck, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, C.Augusto; Thuram, L.Martinez.
Substitutes: Di Gennaro, Provedel, Stankovic, Stones, Zielinski, Sucic, Luis Henrique, Bonny, Mkhitaryan, Akanji, Esposito
Fan reaction: Diomande snub
19:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
What was even the point of signing Diomande...
— ✘ 🇵🇸 (@KaixerT8) September 8, 2026
Dumfries reunited with former team-mates
19:23 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
It’s all love between Denzel Dumfries and his former Inter Milan team-mates.
Fam 🫂 pic.twitter.com/bIyposeFZh
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) September 8, 2026
Fan thoughts: Liverpool-themed midfield battle
19:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
imagine someone said to you in 2025 Trent and Jones would be facing each other in midfield, neither for Liverpool
— J7 (@lfcJ7_) September 8, 2026
Fan reaction: Alexander-Arnold in midfield
19:17 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Trent in midfield??? Mourinho is about to unlock a beast 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kyZl5V7uAI
— 🅓🅞🅝🅨 (@RmaDonyFC) September 8, 2026
Inter Milan changes
19:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Five changes for Inter Milan tonight, including a full debut for summer signing Curtis Jones.
Marcus Thuram, Benjamin Pavard, Hakan Calhanoglu and Carlos Augusto all start too.
Real Madrid team analysed
19:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Jose Mourinho has made two changes to the Real Madrid side thar started the 1-0 loss to Real Betis last time out.
Trent Alexander-Arnold comes in for Eduardo Camavinga and looks set for a midfield role.
Elsewhere, Brahim Diaz takes the place of Arda Guler.
Inter Milan team in full
19:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Inter Milan XI: J.Martinez; Pavard, Bisseck, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, C.Augusto; Thuram, L.Martinez.
Substitutes: Di Gennaro, Provedel, Stankovic, Stones, Zielinski, Sucic, Luis Henrique, Bonny, Mkhitaryan, Akanji, Esposito
CONFIRMED INTER MILAN TEAM NEWS
19:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Lining up for the visitors...
Sfidiamo il Real Madrid con questi 1️⃣1️⃣⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/stOJagm0Mn
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) September 8, 2026
Inter team
18:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
We await the Inter Milan team...
Ci siamo 🏟️🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/B7YEdWZINV
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) September 8, 2026
Real Madrid team in full
18:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Alexander-Arnold, Valverde, Bellingham; Brahim, Mbappe, Vini Jr.
Substitutes: Lunin, Mestre, Endrick, Tchouameni, A.Carreras, Espi, Rudiger, Diomande, Thiago, Cestero, Rivas
CONFIRMED REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS
18:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is the Real Madrid team that Jose Mourinho has selected for tonight's Champions League tie...
📋 ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2026
✅ Our starting XI!
🆚 @Inter_es pic.twitter.com/RCeHf8Frfv
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan LIVE - team news imminent
18:42 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
The teams will be announced shortly!
Stay tuned...
Behind the scenes in Madrid
18:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
A sneak peek inside the Inter Milan dressing room ahead of kick-off at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Taking you behind the scenes 🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/KjyBvuKNK5
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) September 8, 2026
Ballon d'Or nominees
18:38 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Four Real Madrid players are up for the 2026 Ballon d’Or award.
🌟 ¡@KMbappe, @ViniJr, @BellinghamJude y @Cucurella3, nominados al Balón de Oro 2026! pic.twitter.com/h4VXSbQDHC
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 8, 2026
Mbappe on Ballon d'Or chances
18:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Kylian Mbappe believes he has a good chance to win Ballon d'Or for the first time, after scoring 42 goals in 44 games for his Real Madrid last season and then winning the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals.
"I think when you play for Real Madrid, the best club in the world, people associate you with this award," he said.
"There are many people that speak about me and the Ballon d'Or. Of course I've made history in the most important competition. Maybe it's a good year for this but people can vote according to what they think."
"I always think I'm the best [player in the world] but everyone has their own opinion.
"Maybe people think different ways. I don't think it's a discussion we need to have.
"Of course this year could be good for me to win the Ballon d'Or. But journalists vote."
Inter back in Madrid
18:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
It's a return to the scene where Inter enjoyed one of their greatest ever nights - with Jose Mourinho as manager...
Cristian Chivu said: "Playing here is always an honour, and the stadium is even more beautiful than before, more modern. [The] 2010 [final] was great. [Coach Jose Mourinho] is a special person I had the honour of meeting. He helped me at a difficult time in my life and I will never forget it."
Stasera si torna lì. In una città che, per chi ama questi colori, sarà sempre molto più di una città.
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) September 8, 2026
Sarà sempre il luogo della notte di Madrid 🖤💙 pic.twitter.com/2TuJOZ0ROo
Inter boss eyes historic win
18:25 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here's Cristian Chivu discussing the challenge that awaits his Inter Milan side tonight.
"Playing here is never easy. Inter have not beaten Real at the Bernabeu in 59 years. We have to show courage and personality. We want to be dominant here.
"There is no perfect way to deal with [Real Madrid]; there are so many players who can always make a difference."
Predicted Inter Milan XI
18:20 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Inter Milan are expected to line up in their familiar 3-5-2 system with captain Lautaro Martinez leading the line, possibly alongside Marcus Thuram for the first time this season as Pio Esposito drops out.
Carlos Augusto is likely to start at left wing-back in the absence of Federico Dimarco, but Curtis Jones could make his full Inter debut.
Predicted Inter Milan XI: J.Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; L.Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Jones, C.Augusto; Thuram, L.Martinez.
Predicted Real Madrid XI
18:15 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Denzel Dumfries is in line to face his former club for the first time since leaving in the summer, getting the nod over Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
There is a chance Alexander-Arnold slots into midfield given the absences of Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga.
Much depends on the fitness of Aurelien Tchouameni as he could join Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde in the engine room.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella; Valverde, Bellingham; Diomande, Diaz, Vinicius; Mbappe.
Mourinho on Inter reunion
18:10 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Here is what Jose Mourinho said in the pre-match press conference about facing Inter Milan.
“It’s nothing more than a regular match, though afterward, it won’t be. At Inter, they see me as a friend, no doubt.
"Before and after, but during, I don’t think they’ll look at me as a friend while I’m the coach of Real Madrid.
"It’ll be a pleasure to play against them, even though there aren’t many from my time there. But I’ll love seeing people who support Inter before or after the match. I want to win, and there won’t be time to think about things from a very beautiful past.
"Chivu is one of mine, the team is one of mine, and it always will be. I love him very much, and I’m delighted that things are going well for him.
"It’ll be a pleasure to hug him before the match and after the match, but not during. I’ll remember the fact that between us, there’s such an important past.”
Today's settings
18:05 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
There are few stadiums in European football better equipped to stage Champions League football other than the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan latest match odds
18:00 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Madrid to win: 4/7
Inter Milan to win: 4/1
Draw: 7/2
Odds via betting sites (subject to change).
Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:55 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Madrid have won the last four meetings between the two sides, the most recent coming during the 2021/22 group phase.
Inter's last victory in this fixture was on November 25, 1998 when Ivan Zamorano and Roberto Baggio (2) were on target.
Real Madrid wins: 10
Inter Milan wins: 7
Draws: 2
Score prediction
17:50 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Real Madrid may have been beaten by Real Betis last time out, but the result doesn't tell the full story of the game as Los Blancos did create numerous chances and were denied a point by a brilliant penalty save.
Inter trailed at home to Napoli at the weekend before mounting a comeback, but we don't expect a repeat tonight if they ball behind.
Real Madrid to win, 3-1.
Inter Milan team news
17:45 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Inter will be without Federico Dimarco after he sustained a minor knee issue during Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Napoli.
Carlos Augusto is expected to start at left wing-back, while John Stones and Curtis Jones are set to make their Champions League debuts for Inter after arriving in the summer.
Djed Spence remains sidelined with a calf problem and Marcus Thuram is pushing to replace Pio Esposito in attack.
Real Madrid team news: Suspension spark mini crisis
17:40 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Suspensions will hit Real Madrid hard tonight with three senior players serving a ban which has carried over from last season.
Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga were both sent-off in the quarter-final second leg loss to Bayern Munich, while Bernardo Silva was dismissed against Madrid when playing for Manchester City in the knockout play-off round.
As such, Los Blancos are a little light in central midfield, but Aurelien Tchouameni is fit again after injury.
Goalkeepers: Courtois, Sergio Mestre, and Javi Navarro.
Defenders: Huijsen, Alexander-Arnold Konate, Cucurella, A. Carreras, Rudiger, Dumfries, and Mario Rivas.
Midfielders: Bellingham, Valverde, Tchouameni, Thiago, and Cestero.
Forwards: Vini Jr., Endrick, Mbappe, C. Espi, Brahim, and Yan Diomande.
How to watch Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
17:35 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7.45pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the HBO Max app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert insight and analysis.
Real Madrid vs Inter LIVE!
17:30 , Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Real Madrid vs Inter Milan!
The opening round of league phase action from this season's Champions League is set to serve up a classic between two European heavyweights as Jose Mourinho faces his former club.
Both sides, by their very high standards, underperformed in this competition last season and will be looking to get three points on the board at this early stage.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news right here ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the Santiago Bernabeu. Stick with us!
Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website
