Video: On a legendary night for Courtois, Real Madrid begin their European campaign with a hard-fought win over Inter Milan

A remarkable start for the Royal team

Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a thrilling 2-1 win over Inter Milan today, Tuesday, at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Kylian Mbappe put Los Blancos ahead in the 14th minute. Real pressed Inter high, forced the turnover, and Brahim Diaz slipped the ball to the France striker as he burst into the box to fire home.

Nine minutes later, Valverde doubled the lead after a glaring error from goalkeeper Josep Martinez. The Spaniard tried to dribble his way out inside the penalty area, only for Federico to nick the ball off him and steer it into the net with a single touch.

Inter's only reply arrived in the 77th minute. Carlos Augusto turned home a cross directly into the net.

The result handed Real Madrid their first three points of the European campaign and lifted them to third. Inter remain pointless.

Both goalkeepers stole the show. Thibaut Courtois denied Inter several clear openings, particularly in the first half, and stood among the biggest reasons for tonight's victory.

Martinez answered at the other end. Despite his blunder for Valverde's goal, he kept out several gilt-edged Real chances, especially after the break.

Without that goalkeeping brilliance, both teams would have racked up the goals. Inter spurned a host of chances in the first half before the balance swung Real's way in the second.