Valverde and Mbappe via Google/GettyImage
Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland starred as Real Madrid and Manchester City began their Champions League campaigns with victories on Tuesday.
Madrid edged Inter Milan 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Manchester City secured a 2-0 away win over Porto, with Haaland scoring both goals.
Mbappé, Valverde inspire Madrid
Real Madrid survived a nervy finish against Inter after Mbappé and Federico Valverde put the hosts two goals ahead before Carlos Augusto pulled one back for the visitors.
Mbappé opened the scoring after Inter defender Yann Bisseck’s attempted clearance fell to Brahim Díaz, who set up the French forward to finish.
Valverde doubled Madrid’s advantage after Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez was caught out, giving the hosts a commanding position.
Inter responded in the second half when Carlos Augusto reduced the deficit, setting up a tense final period as the Italian side pushed for an equaliser.
However, Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made several crucial saves to preserve his side’s lead and secure all three points.
The victory was also significant for José Mourinho, who returned to the Real Madrid dugout this season and began another Champions League campaign with the Spanish giants.
Before the match, Mourinho dismissed suggestions that he faced extra pressure to win the competition, despite failing to lift the trophy during his first spell at the club.
He stressed that his previous successes and setbacks were separate from his current objectives, while highlighting the need to build “stability” and a “strong structure” at Madrid.
Haaland strikes twice for City
In Portugal, Haaland continued his sensational start to the season by scoring twice as Manchester City defeated Porto 2-0.
The Norwegian striker headed City in front early in the second half before completing his brace in stoppage time to seal an impressive away victory.
The result handed new City manager Enzo Maresca a winning start in the Champions League after a physical and goalless opening half.
Haaland had already scored in each of City’s first three Premier League victories before the trip to Portugal, underlining his outstanding early-season form.
Maresca had admitted before the match that the striker could need a rest after featuring in every competitive minute for City at that stage of the season, while also representing Norway at the World Cup.
Instead, Haaland once again proved decisive.
His first goal came with a header following a move involving Rayan Cherki and Enzo Fernández, while he completed the scoring late on after a cut-back from Rayan Aït-Nouri.
Porto created opportunities during the match but were unable to find a way past City, with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma making important saves to keep the hosts at bay.
The victories give both Real Madrid and Manchester City an early boost in the revamped Champions League league phase, with the European heavyweights taking maximum points from challenging opening fixtures.
