Kylian Mbappé Shines in Champions League Opener

Kylian Mbappé has started the new season like a man in a hurry.

The Real Madrid forward struck again on Tuesday night, opening the scoring in a 2-1 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League and stretching his run to five goals in five games for the 2026-27 campaign.

One mistake was all he needed.

Curtis Jones lost the ball in a dangerous area, Brahim Díaz pounced and slipped a sharp pass into Mbappé’s path. With a single, ruthless touch in the 14th minute, the France international swept his finish past Josep Martínez, no hesitation, no adjustment, just pure instinct.

That strike carried more than just the weight of an early group-stage lead. It was Mbappé’s 71st goal in the Champions League, pulling him level with Real Madrid icon Raúl in fifth place on the competition’s all-time scoring list. Different eras, different styles, same ruthless end product.

The numbers above him remain daunting. Cristiano Ronaldo still towers over the field with 140 Champions League goals, amassed across spells at Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. Mbappé has ground to make up, but nights like this show he has no intention of slowing.

Madrid didn’t wait long to tighten their grip.

Nine minutes after the opener, Federico Valverde chased what looked like a routine situation for Martínez. It was anything but. The Inter goalkeeper hesitated, Valverde didn’t. The Uruguayan nicked the ball away and forced it over the line, a scrappy, opportunistic second that underlined Madrid’s intensity without the ball.

From there, the 15-time European champions managed the game, but not without a late scare. Inter finally broke through near the end to cut the deficit, setting up a tense finish. Madrid bent, but they did not break, seeing out a 2-1 victory to begin their latest Champions League campaign with three points.

Mbappé walked off with another goal, another milestone, and another reminder: the chase up that all-time scorers list is very much on.