Real Madrid hold off Inter to win Champions League opener

Real Madrid opened its Champions League campaign with a 2-1 home win over Inter Milan on Tuesday, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois producing a string of saves to preserve the victory.

Coach Jose Mourinho deployed Trent Alexander-Arnold in central midfield, but Madrid was on the back foot in the opening minutes. An error from the former Liverpool player presented Lautaro Martinez with a chance, but Courtois saved his shot.

Madrid took the lead in the 14th minute after another mistake from a former Liverpool player, Curtis Jones, who was caught in possession and allowed Kylian Mbappe to score with a clinical finish.

Courtois was called into action again a minute later, blocking Hakan Calhanoglu's powerful free kick, before Federico Valverde doubled Madrid's lead following a calamitous error from Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez. Martinez dwelled on the ball, and Valverde's block sent it into the net.

Inter continued to press, with Jones hitting the crossbar in the first half before being denied by Courtois early in the second. Lautaro then squandered another opportunity with a poor first touch.

Courtois saved another effort from Lautaro and blocked the rebound from Marcus Thuram. At the other end, Josep Martinez produced an outstanding save to deny Jude Bellingham, who looked certain to score after an impressive piece of skill from Brahim Diaz.

Courtois also denied Alessandro Bastoni before Carlos Augusto finally beat him in the 77th minute, converting after an assist from Lautaro.

Elsewhere, Real Betis won 3-2 away to Lille, while Villarreal remained winless after slipping to a 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.