There were goals for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland; and wins for Real Madrid and Manchester City as the Champions League returned Tuesday for a new season.
Haaland scored both goals as 2023 winner City beat Porto 2-0. Mbappe’s goal after 14 minutes was his 71st in European club soccer’s top continental competition and saw him move level with Madrid great Raul in fifth place on the all-time scorers list. Haaland took his tally to 59 in 59 appearances in the Champions League. Borussia Dortmund beat Villarreal 3-2, and Real Betis won by the same score at Lille. Aston Villa also won 3-2 over Club Brugge, and AEK Athens had a 1-0 win over LASK. Inter, which ended the game with 61% possession, set up a tense finish when Carlos Augusto scored in the 77th.
When Inter lost possession deep in its own half Brahim Diaz slid in Mbappe, who fired low past Josep Martinez. Jose Mourinho made a winning return to the Champions League as head coach of Madrid despite Inter dominating possession.
