Bellingham rues missed chances as Real Madrid edge Inter Milan 2-1
Real Madrid returned to winning ways in the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Bernabéu, although Jude Bellingham conceded that missed chances left his side facing an avoidable late test.
What changed for Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde scored before the interval to put Madrid in command on Tuesday, but Inter remained competitive throughout a match in which they had more of the ball and generated a greater volume of opportunities.
Bellingham had two clear openings to extend the lead, one before half-time and another after Brahim Díaz carried the ball forward with an impressive dribble. Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez denied him, while Carlos Augusto later reduced the deficit to make the closing stages uncomfortable for the home side.
Bellingham said Madrid should have settled the contest much earlier.
“We made a lot of chances, including two for me that I should score,” he said. “Martínez did well, but I have to finish them.”
The England midfielder described his first opportunity as an instinctive effort, while saying he overthought the second. He added that the missed chances mattered because Madrid were forced to protect a one-goal advantage rather than control the closing minutes.
Thibaut Courtois played a major role in preserving the result, producing important saves as Inter pressed for an equaliser.
Competition context
The win followed Madrid’s 1-0 loss at Real Betis on Friday, the club’s first dropped points of the season. José Mourinho’s team therefore responded immediately in Europe, but the head coach was dissatisfied with the lack of control despite the result.
Mourinho said the match could have produced an extraordinary scoreline in either direction, suggesting Madrid might have won 5-1 or 6-1 but also acknowledging the possibility of a 6-6 draw. He pointed to Bellingham’s first-half chance to make it 3-0 as one of the decisive moments.
The Madrid coach said he preferred a side capable of scoring heavily while maintaining command of the game, rather than relying on an exceptional display from its goalkeeper.
- Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan
- Madrid scorers: Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde
- Inter scorer: Carlos Augusto
- Previous result: Real Betis 1-0 Real Madrid
Bellingham has nevertheless made a strong start under Mourinho, recording two goals and two assists in LaLiga this season.
What is scheduled next
No next fixture was specified, but Madrid’s immediate task is clear: retain the attacking threat shown against Inter while becoming more clinical when chances arrive. Bellingham’s missed openings, and Courtois’ need to intervene repeatedly, ensured the Inter win brought three points but also clear issues for Mourinho to address.
