Real Madrid, Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund were among the winners on the opening night of the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League.
José Mourinho’s men were made to work for their slender victory over his former club Inter.
Kylian Mbappé’s neat finish gave the hosts a 14th-minute lead which Federico Valverde doubled nine minutes later when dispossessing visiting goalkeeper Josep Martínez following a back-pass.
The Nerazzurri found Thibaut Courtois in inspired form on his 100th UEFA Champions League outing, with Curtis Jones’ strike also clipping the frame of goal.
Carlos Augusto set up a nervy ending when he swept in Lautaro Martínez’s cross, but Los Blancos held out to claim maximum points.
Dortmund also got their campaign off to a winning start with a dramatic victory, all five goals coming in the second half.
Renato Veiga’s own goal just before the hour put Dortmund in front, but Santiago Mouriño’s bullet header levelled the scores. Serhou Guirassy then struck twice, finishing a flowing move sparked by Jobe Bellingham before converting from the spot.
A deflected Nicolas Pépé free-kick glanced off Gregor Kobel’s glove, Guirassy’s face and into the net moments later, but Dortmund held on to ensure they have now lost only two of their last 24 Champions League home games.
Haaland moved on to 59 goals in as many Champions League games as his second-half double gave City the points at Porto.
Home goalkeeper Diogo Costa kept the Norwegian, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki at bay before the break with a string of fine saves.
After the restart, however, Enzo Maresca’s side exerted their authority as Haaland first headed in Matheus Nunes’ cross and then converted with a close finish in added time having been set up by Rayan Aït-Nouri.
Nicolas Jackson’s first Aston Villa goal helped the Premier League side win in Belgium. McGinn curled in the 11th-minute opener but Club Brugge levelled eight minutes later when Hugo Vetlesen struck.
Emiliano Buendía took three minutes to restore Villa’s lead and, after Jackson slotted in two minutes before the interval, Nicolò Tresoldi reduced the deficit with a 61st-minute penalty.
Tresoldi hit a post and home defender Joaquin Seys denied Lamare Bogarde on the line as the Villans edged an absorbing contest.
