Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan score: Rodrygo saves the day for Spanish side in Champions League thriller

The Spaniards register their first win of the 2020-21 edition as the Italians stare at Europa League berth

Real Madrid secured three important points with a dramatic 3-2 win over Inter Milan in Champions League Group B on Tuesday.

After both sides traded early chances and Nicolo Barella hit the crossbar for the Italians, the hosts took the lead through Karim Benzema.

The France international was gifted the ball by former Real man Achraf Hakimi and took it around Samir Handanovic before scoring.

Real's lead was doubled less than 10 minutes later as Sergio Ramos connected with Toni Kroos' corner to powerfully head home at Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

100 - Sergio Ramos has scored his 100th goal for @realmadriden in all competitions, 55 of which have come with his head. Courage. pic.twitter.com/tTYWmHbtIx

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 3, 2020

At that point, the Spaniards looked to be in total control and on their way to a comfortable win, but Inter had other ideas.

The visitors responded almost immediately through Lautaro Martinez after a delightful backheel from Barella in the build-up created the opportunity.

And that's how you respond! Lautaro Martinez with a wonderful finish. pic.twitter.com/SLSBvYnQjR

— Champions League on CBS Sports (@UCLonCBSSports) November 3, 2020

Midway through the second half, the comeback was complete for Antonio Conte's men as Martinez turned provider for Ivan Perisic to level things up.

Inter almost took the lead for the first time when Martinez went close from distance, but it was the closest they would come.

🇧🇷💪 Brazilian connection!
💥 A fantastic run from @vinijr ends in a @RodrygoGoes golazo!#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/y1ok2yg2t0

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

Having been sent on minutes before the Serie A outfit equalised, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo combined to put Real back in front and this time the lead stuck.

The La Liga giants are finally up and running in this season's edition in an open looking Group B after Borussia Monchengladbach smashed Shakhtar Donetsk 6-0 in Ukraine to go top.

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[Nov 3, 2020 at 6:34 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

👏 "We fought until the end and we deserve this win."
🗣️ This is what Zidane had to say after our win against @Inter_en!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/fZToIohnba

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 6:25 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🎙️ | INTERVIEW

"Upset but we can still get out of the group." @youngy18 gives his take on #RealInter 🗣️#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵https://t.co/gOAvd2fwoB

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 6:24 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🎙️ | INTERVIEW

Antonio #Conte's thoughts after tonight's game 🗣️#RealInter ⚫️🔵 #FORZAINTER#UCL https://t.co/MbIXgt3YNw

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 6:17 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

👋 And a @RodrygoGoes message just for you, #RMFans!
🤳"Hey madridistas! It was a magical night. I'm very happy with my goal and with the team's win. Thank you and Hala Madrid!"#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/7Bw0nuIjOn

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 6:14 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

💬💪 @RodrygoGoes: "It was a difficult match but we won it, which is the most important thing."#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/3QKBwA3YGT

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:59 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🎙️ | INTERVIEW

A goal, an assist and a good performance. Here's what #Lautaro had to say after #RealInter 🗣️#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵https://t.co/DGyWaNaxu1

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:51 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

🤩🇧🇷 @Casemiro has now played 2️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ matches for @realmadrid!
👏 Parabéns! 👏#RealFootball | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Fs3ARjeoPP

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:48 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🎙️ | INTERVIEW

Samir #Handanovic has a lot of regret for the final result 🗣️#RealInter ⚫️🔵 #FORZAINTER#UCL https://t.co/mEmGr8FQaB

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:42 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🖊️ | MATCH REPORT

The fight-back before the final, devastating, blow: the story of #RealInter ⤵️#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵https://t.co/ixKZ4d2HUh

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:37 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

Important victory tonight 💥
On the way @ChampionsLeague 🔝#RMUCL #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/C6lspRpxdH

— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:30 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

👑©️ The one and only.#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/sWnqTpeo15

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:21 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

👀🔥#RMUCL https://t.co/ja0rBwGKJL

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:19 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

🇫🇷⚽ 𝓚𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓶 @Benzema
🎩 Magnifique#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/BsSjBvDPC5

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:08 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

Another 😍 ft. @RodrygoGoes. #HalaMadrid | #RMUCL pic.twitter.com/UWMur2MEn1

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 5:04 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

😍 HALA MADRID!#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/UM9QxNnfgk

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:51 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

All over in Madrid as Real survive a scare to put three points on the board. Benzema, Ramos and Rodrygo with the goals for the hosts, Martinez & Perisic for the visitors as their comeback was thwarted. Real into second spot in Group B as Inter drop to bottom on two points. Three points now a must for Conte's men in Milan next time out.

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:50 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

⏹️ | FULL TIME

It's all over in Spain. Inter fall to a defeat to Real Madrid.#RealInter 3️⃣-2️⃣#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/CxzkiLktrh

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:49 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

🏁 FT: @realmadriden 3-2 @Inter_en
⚽ @Benzema 25', @SergioRamos 33', @RodrygoGoes 80'; Lautaro 35', Perišić 68'#Emirates | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/KkCNa1irOo

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:47 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

🇧🇷💪 Brazilian connection!
💥 A fantastic run from @vinijr ends in a @RodrygoGoes golazo!#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/y1ok2yg2t0

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:43 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🔄 | 87' - SUBSTITUTION#Vidal off, #Nainggolan on.#RealInter 3️⃣-2️⃣#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/mott1fqSkP

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:41 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

🙌 VAMOS TEAM! 🙌#RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/WHahBS6EhK

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:38 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

What a moment for Rodrygo as the Brazilian substitutes combine to give Real the lead. Huge goal! Can Inter pick themselves up again after this, or have Zidane's men done enough this time? Group B is the place to be this evening!

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:36 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

80' | 3-2 | GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAL GOOOOAAL GOOOOAL by @RodrygoGoes!!!#RMUCL | #FIFA21 pic.twitter.com/H37LygMYFY

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:36 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

😑 | 80' - GOAL FOR REAL

Rodrygo restores the hosts' lead...#RealInter 3️⃣-2️⃣#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:35 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🔄 | 78' - CHANGES

➡️ #Sanchez, #Gagliardini
⬅️ #Perisic, #Barella#RealInter 2️⃣-2️⃣#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/czdLySolHu

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:35 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

🔄 | 78' - CHANGES

➡️ #Sanchez, #Barella
⬅️ #Perisic, #Gagliardini#RealInter 2️⃣-2️⃣#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/8DD2Yi3Luj

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:34 pm ET · @realmadriden via Twitter]

🔁 78' | 2-2 | @realmadriden substitution:@lukamodric10 ↔ @ToniKroos #RMUCL | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/OxkUWsTN2u

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:31 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

😩 | 75' - NOT FAR WIDE#Lautaro cuts inside onto his right and lets fly. For a moment it looked as though it would nestle in the top corner, but it ends up just wide.#RealInter 2️⃣-2️⃣#UCL #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/x0yAP2lu4I

— Inter (@Inter_en) November 3, 2020

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:31 pm ET · Jonathan Johnson]

Lautaro just over from distance! Real are rocking after that Inter equaliser.

[Nov 3, 2020 at 4:26 pm ET · @Inter_en via Twitter]

That was a beautiful goal from Inter. Game on #RealInter #UCL

— Ogi (@blago_blogger) November 3, 2020