The European champions kicked off their title defence with victory over Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. The Whites settled the game in the second half, with Mbappé making it 1-0 fresh out of the dressing room. The German side fought back and equalised in the 68th minute with a headed goal by Undav, but the Real Madrid, Santiago Bernabéu and Champions League combination is indestructible and Ancelotti’s side clinched victory in the 83rd minute when Rüdiger headed home Modrić’s corner. In stoppage time, Endrick made it 3-1 with a fierce strike to round off a swift counter-attack.

The first half proceeded at a frenetic pace. The ball moved from one area to the other and the first to threaten were the visitors, with Leweling's low shot, after a series of rebounds, which Courtois parried away after two minutes, and a one-on-one with Millot, who failed to score in the eighth minute. Real Madrid responded with a neat piece of play from Mbappé on 13', but the striker's effort ended up in Nübel's hands. As the minutes ticked away, Stuttgart had another attempt on the quarter-hour mark with a drive from the edge of the area by Millot and a one-on-one chance from Stiller. Courtois produced two fine saves to keep out both efforts.

Plenty of chances
Midway through the first half, the scenario changed and Ancelotti's side started to get a hold of the game and create a series of chances. Mbappé’s smart skill and powerful shot, although going slightly off-target, forced Nübel into a fine save in the 25th minute. Three minutes later Stuttgart had the opportunity to break the deadlock on the counter-attack, but Undav's effort clipped Carvajal and crashed against the crossbar. The home side's riposte came in the 31st minute. Rodrygo cut inside the area and his attempt was blocked for a corner by Mittelstädt. The Brazilian took the resulting corner kick and Tchouameni’s header was saved by the keeper on the goal line. Three minutes later, Mittelstädt's attempted clearance saw the defender knock into Rüdiger inside the area. Referee Umut Meler awarded a penalty but he was subsequently alerted by the VAR and after being called over to the monitor, he reversed his decision.

Mbappé scores for third consecutive match
Everything changed after the restart. Real Madrid opened the scoring in the first attack of the second half. Tchouameni's through ball picked out Rodrygo and the Brazilian squared for Mbappé to tap in and grab his first Champions League goal as a Madridista, his third in a row in all competitions (four goals). He almost doubled his tally when one-on-one with Nübel, who stood tall to deny the Frenchman. As the game wore on, the Whites were in total control. In the 59th minute, Vini Jr. nearly doubled the lead, but his shot from the edge of the area struck the crossbar.

Rüdiger decides clash from corner kick
In the ensuing play, Leweling looked to strike with a powerful cross-shot, but Courtois was in inspired form. However, the Belgian shot-stopper was unable to prevent Undav's equaliser, as the forward headed home from a corner in the 68th minute. Real Madrid were not done yet and in the 83rd minute they once again underlined their love affair with this competition. Modrić swung in a corner and Rüdiger headed home to make it 2-1. In stoppage time, Endrick made it 3-1 with a stunning left-footed shot from outside the box, as the defending European champions collected all three points in their Champions League opener.