Kylian Mbappe made his UEFA Champions League debut for Real Madrid and scored a goal in a 3-1 victory over Stuttgart at the Bernabeu. The Frenchman found the back of the net in the first minute of the second half, but his goal was cancelled out by Deniz Undav on 68 minutes. Antonio Rudiger, a former Stuttgart youth player, scored the winning goal off a Luka Modric corner with seven minutes to play, and Endrick added a third in stoppage time. Thibaut Courtois was crucial for Real Madrid, making numerous saves to keep the Germans at bay as they peppered the Madrid goal.
Stuttgart had opportunities to score, with Jamie Leweling and Enzo Millot missing chances early in the match. The visitors were unlucky not to have a penalty awarded against them after a challenge on Rudiger, but VAR overturned the decision. Madrid struggled to find their rhythm in attack, with Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo adjusting to play alongside Mbappe. Despite a disjointed performance, Real Madrid secured all three points on matchday one of the Champions League group stage.
Thibaut Courtois was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding saves that kept Real Madrid in the game. Courtois made crucial stops from various Stuttgart attacks, preventing the visitors from taking the lead. The player ratings for both teams reflected Courtois’ impact, with Madrid’s defense also receiving solid scores. Stuttgart’s Nubel and Undav stood out for their performances in a match where the Germans showed resilience and quality against the defending champions.
The match highlights included missed opportunities by Stuttgart early in the game, as they failed to convert on clear chances. Real Madrid capitalized on a defensive mistake by Stuttgart to open the scoring through Mbappe. Undav equalized for Stuttgart after a spell of pressure, but Rudiger’s header and Endrick’s late goal sealed the win for Madrid. The result highlighted the importance of taking chances in a competitive Champions League encounter.
TNT Sports will broadcast over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League during the 2024-25 season. Fans in the UK can access TNT Sports through discovery+, which offers a subscription package including TNT Sports, Eurosport, and entertainment content. The partnership between TNT Sports and discovery+ provides football enthusiasts with a comprehensive platform to enjoy top European competitions throughout the season. Real Madrid’s victory over Stuttgart in the Champions League opener showcased the drama and excitement that fans can expect from elite European football.
