Real Madrid: Los Blancos beat Italian Champions Inter 1-0
Rodrygo Goes scored the game’s only goal of the night in the 89th minute.
Real Madrid punishes Inter Milan
Real Madrid punished Inter Milan, late in the game, for not grabbing their chances. Substitute Rodrygo struck a first-time volley to secure three points for the 13-time champions.
Inter Milan dominated for long stretches of the match. However, the hosts could not find a goal against the in-form goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Courtois produced several crucial saves to deny Inter a goal. The result was harsh on the home side.
Inter Milan had all the early chances in the game. However, Courtois saved from Lautaro Martinez and Edin Dzeko. Meanwhile, Casemiro tested Samir Handanovic from distance, and Eder Militao headed wide as Madrid grew into the game.
However, the first half ended with Courtois’ goal back under siege. Marcelo Brozovic’s shot grazed the Belgian keeper’s far post and the Belgian shot-stopper had to block Nicolo Barella’s cross. Subsequently, he saved Dezko’s effort three minutes before the break.
Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema were isolated in attack for Real Madrid. Inter Milan dominated the midfield area. As a result, Casemiro and Lucas Vazquez looked overwhelmed at times.
Second Half
The pattern did not change after the break and Courtois had to save Madrid again as he saved Milan Skriniar’s towering header. Vinicius ran down the left and crossed the ball to Benzema. The French striker teed up Dani Carvajal whose effort was pushed over.
The Brazilian’s next penetrative run forced a corner but it came to nothing. Madrid brought Rodrygo on overlooking Hazard late in the game. The Brazilian was immediately a threat on the counter too as Ancelotti tried to take the pressure off his defense. With three minutes left Vinicius’s shot was blocked by a sliding Milan Skriniar. In the 89th minute, Rodrygo scored and Real Madrid won their first Champions League group game of the season. Camavinga played a pinpoint cross towards the Brazilian youngster and Rodrygo with a first-time volley scored the goal past Handanovic to give Madrid the win.
Real Madrid next faces Sheriff Tiraspol in their second game of the group stage. Meanwhile, Inter Milan travels to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk. Elsewhere, Sheriff Tiraspol stunned Shakhtar as they beat the Ukrainian side 2-0.