Real Madrid defeated Inter 2-1, Manchester City secured a 2-0 victory away at Porto, while Aston Villa edged Club Brugge 3-2 as the league phase of the Champions League got underway.
At the Santiago Bernabéu, Kylian Mbappé put Real Madrid ahead in the 14th minute with a neat finish before Federico Valverde doubled the advantage nine minutes later after dispossessing Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez following a back-pass.
Inter pulled one back when Carlos Augusto finished Lautaro Martínez’s cross, but Real Madrid held on for all three points. Thibaut Courtois was also in inspired form on his 100th UEFA Champions League appearance. Valverde was named Player of the Match.
Manchester City also made a winning start in Portugal, defeating Porto 2-0. Erling Haaland scored both goals in the second half to secure the three points for City.
After Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa had kept Haaland, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki out before the break, Haaland headed in Matheus Nunes’ cross after the restart before completing his brace in added time following a pass from Rayan Aït-Nouri. The result moved Haaland to 59 goals in 59 Champions League appearances, while he was named Player of the Match.
Aston Villa were involved in an entertaining encounter in Belgium, beating Club Brugge 3-2.
John McGinn opened the scoring in the 11th minute, becoming the first goalscorer of the 2026/27 Champions League campaign. Hugo Vetlesen levelled for Club Brugge eight minutes later before Emiliano Buendía restored Villa’s lead.
Nicolas Jackson then scored his first Aston Villa goal two minutes before half-time to put the visitors 3-1 ahead. Nicolò Tresoldi pulled one back for Club Brugge from the penalty spot in the 61st minute, but Villa held on for victory. McGinn was named Player of the Match.
The opening night also saw Borussia Dortmund defeat Villarreal 3-2, while Real Betis came from behind to beat Lille by the same scoreline. AEK Athens defeated Champions League debutants LASK 1-0.
The 2026/27 Champions League league phase continues on Wednesday, with Barcelona, Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and other clubs set to begin their campaigns.
