Soccer
Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan player ratings: Valverde the difference-maker
Watch Champions League on DAZN (CAN & NZD only)
Real Madrid opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Inter, winning despite the visitors dominating possession and creating more chances.
Two first-half Inter errors proved fatal—Yann Bisseck's mistake allowed Kylian Mbappé to open the scoring at 14 minutes, and Federico Valverde punished Josep Martínez's mishandled touch at 23 minutes.
Carlos Augusto's 77th-minute finish set up a tense finale, but Thibaut Courtois's saves and resolute defending preserved Real Madrid's lead.
DAZN News rates each set of players and our player of the match:
Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan Player of the Match
Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
Valverde delivered the match-winning moment at 23 minutes, capitalising on Josep Martínez's error to extend Real Madrid's lead.
The Uruguayan midfielder pressured the goalkeeper into a mistake and showed predatory instincts to punish it.
Wearing the captain's armband, he controlled the midfield tempo and contributed defensively as Inter pushed for a comeback.
His decisive goal proved the difference in a match where Real Madrid defended resolutely against sustained pressure.
Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan Player Ratings
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois (7.8): Made crucial saves throughout to preserve Real Madrid's narrow lead.
Denzel Dumfries (6.8): Solid against his former club, combined well on the right.
Ibrahima Konaté (6.7): Blocked Curtis Jones's shot and made key headed clearances.
Dean Huijsen (6.5): Physical in duels but nearly scored an own goal early on.
Marc Cucurella (7.3): Outstanding sliding tackle at 92' capped a disciplined defensive display.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6.4): Deployed in midfield, delivered set-pieces before being replaced at 79'.
Federico Valverde (8.3): Match-winner—pounced on goalkeeper error to score the decisive second goal.
Jude Bellingham (6.9): Drew fouls and made a crucial sliding tackle to start counters.
Brahim Díaz (7.9): Assisted Mbappé's opener and struck the post; constant creative threat.
Vinicius Junior (6.3): Quiet night but tracked back diligently to support Cucurella.
Kylian Mbappé (7.6): Opened the scoring after Inter's error and remained a counter-attacking threat.
Aurélien Tchouaméni (6.5): Provided midfield stability after coming on at 79 minutes.
Yan Diomande (6.4): Powerful shot saved by Martínez; added energy from the bench.
Álvaro Carreras (6.0): Late substitute who helped shore up the left flank.
Carlos Espí (5.8): Introduced at 90+3' with virtually no time to make an impact.
Inter
Josep Martínez (6.2): Costly error for Valverde's goal but made excellent saves after.
Benjamin Pavard (6.2): Replaced at halftime after Inter's vulnerable first-half defensive display.
Yann Bisseck (5.5): Error led directly to Mbappé's opener; struggled under pressure.
Alessandro Bastoni (7.0): Progressed the ball well from deep and tested Courtois at 62'.
Andy Diouf (6.8): Threatened repeatedly down the right but couldn't beat Cucurella consistently.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu (6.3): Free-kick saved by Courtois; booked for fouling Bellingham at 39'.
Nicolò Barella (6.5): Combined well in possession before being substituted at 60 minutes.
Curtis Jones (6.5): Struck the post at 36' and worked hard throughout both halves.
Carlos Augusto (7.3): Scored at 77' with a right-footed finish; dangerous throughout.
Marcus Thuram (5.9): Isolated up front and missed from close range at 52 minutes.
Lautaro Martínez (7.4): Provided the assist for Carlos Augusto; battled throughout as captain.
John Stones (6.4): Helped stabilise defence after halftime introduction for Pavard.
Piotr Zielinski (6.3): Added fresh legs in midfield from the 60th minute onwards.
Petar Sučić (6.2): Energetic after coming on but lost possession late to Cucurella.
Ange-Yoan Bonny (6.0): Won possession well at 63' but had limited clear-cut chances.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (6.3): Late shot saved by Courtois at 90' as Inter pushed for an equaliser.
How to watch the Champions League on DAZN
- US: Watch three exclusive Champions League games every match week, in Spanish language, with a DAZN subscription
- Canada: Watch every Champions League game with a DAZN subscription
- New Zealand: Watch every Champions League game with a DAZN subscription
