Kylian Mbappe scores in UCL shootout, brother Ethan red carded in Lille vs Betis

It was a night of contrasting fortunes for the Mbappé brothers in the Champions League. While Kylian Mbappe opened his European campaign with a goal for Real Madrid in their 2-1 win over Inter Milan, his younger brother Ethan Mbappe had a bittersweet night with Lille, assisting in his side’s opener before being sent off in Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat by Real Betis.

Kylian was on target at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid overcame two costly Inter mistakes to open their Champions League campaign with victory. The French striker gave the visitors the lead in the 15th minute when he took advantage of Yann Bisseck’s mistake and fired the ball under the goalkeeper.

Ethan, meanwhile, had a much busier night in France.

The 19-year-old assisted Ayase Ueda for Lille’s opening goal before being shown a straight red card in the 55th minute, shortly after Real Betis had taken a 3-2 lead.

Footage showed Ethan elbowing Betis centre-back Natan in the face after an apparent exchange of words between the two players. The referee reviewed the incident and decided it was serious enough to issue a red card.

At 19 years and 253 days, Ethan became the youngest player to be sent off in the Champions League for a French club.

His release came after Betis completed a remarkable comeback. Lille took the lead through Ueda in the 12th minute, but Marc Bartra equalized after Pablo Fornals’ cross. Alexsandro restored Lille’s advantage three minutes later following a corner.

Bartra struck again in the 49th minute when he headed in an Isco free-kick, before Ayoze Perez completed the turnaround five minutes later with a low strike after a solo run.

COURTOIS SAVES MADRID

Back in Madrid, Real credited goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for containing an Inter side who arguably controlled long periods of the match.

Inter enjoyed more than 64 percent of possession and repeatedly tested the Belgian, but Real punished two defensive errors.

After Mbappe forced Bisseck to lose possession, Brahim Diaz collected the loose ball and fed the Frenchman, who finished to put Real ahead.

Courtois then denied Hakan Calhanoglu from a powerful free-kick before Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer mistimed a dribble attempt in his own area. Federico Valverde took advantage and poked the ball home to double Real’s lead.

Jude Bellingham missed a close-range chance before half-time as Inter continued to press after the break. Carlos Augusto pulled one back in the 76th minute after Lautaro Martinez’s low cross, but Real held on for victory.

Valverde admitted afterwards that Courtois was the difference.

“I think we played a great first half, but I don’t deserve the MVP award today. Courtois deserved it because he saved us with an extraordinary performance,” Valverde told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus.

HAALAND LEADS CITY TO VICTORY

Erling Haaland also opened his Champions League campaign with a warm-up as Manchester City beat Porto 2-0 in Portugal.

City dominated possession and finished with 20 shots, including 10 on target, while Porto did not register a single attempt.

After forcing the Porto goalkeeper into six saves before half-time, City finally broke the deadlock two minutes after the restart. Haaland headed a cross into the top corner before adding his second goal in stoppage time when he found the bottom corner from a Rayan Ait-Nouri pass.

DORTMUND EDGE VILLARREAL

Borussia Dortmund survived a late scare to beat Villarreal 3-2.

Dortmund took the lead through Veiga’s own goal in the 53rd minute before Villarreal equalized with a close range header in the 66th.

Serhou Guirassy restored Dortmund’s advantage in the 80th minute before converting a penalty four minutes later after a foul.

Guirassy then scored an own goal in stoppage time as he tried to help his team defend, but Dortmund held on for the win.

TORRES HELPS VILE HOLD BRUGES

Aston Villa also opened their campaign with a win, beating Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium.

Pau Torres set up John McGinn for Villa’s opener in the 11th minute, but Hugo Vetlesen equalized eight minutes later.

Villa responded quickly, Emiliano Buendia restoring their lead with an assist from Joao Gomes, before Nicolas Jackson made it 3-1 just before half-time, with Torres once again providing the final pass.

Bruges dominated after the break and Nicolo Tresoldi pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 61st minute, but Villa held on for all three points.

– The end

Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

09 Sep 2026 07:29 IST