Real Madrid-Inter: 2-0 - Champions 2021/2022. Final result and commentary from the game

Where the match is played:
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu
City: Madrid
Capacity for: 81044 people20:46

Hello! Welcome to our live text commentary of this UEFA Champions League Group D match between Real Madrid and Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu.20:46

Madrid and Inter have already qualified for the knockout phase of this season's Champions League with only Group D's top spot left to decide. LaLiga leaders Madrid sit two points above Inter, meaning they only need to avoid defeat here to secure a theoretically more favourable draw in the next round.20:32

For defending Italian champions Inter, making it to the Champions League knockout phase for the first time since 2011-12 already constitutes progress. After losing 1-0 in the reverse fixture with Madrid in Milan, this game will be a good chance for Simone Inzaghi's men to prepare for the bigger test to come.20:36

REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Thibaut Courtois; Daniel Carvajal, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Luka Modric (c), Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Rodrygo, Luka Jovic, Vinicius Junior.20:38

SUBS: Eden Hazard, Toni Fuidias, Marco Asensio, Marcelo, Lucas Vazquez, Eduardo Camavinga, Isco, Andriy Lunin, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho, Mariano, Federico Valverde.20:39

INTER (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic (c); Danilo D'Ambrosio, Milan Skriniar, Alessandro Bastoni; Denzel Dumfries, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Ivan Perisic; Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko.20:40

SUBS: Alex Cordaz, Stefan de Vrij, Federico Dimarco, Arturo Vidal, Roberto Gagliardini, Aleksandar Kolarov, Ionut Radu, Stefano Sensi, Mattia Zanotti, Matias Vecino, Alexis Sanchez.20:41

Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti makes one enforced change to his side from their 2-0 away win over Real Sociedad in LaLiga last time out. Karim Benzema is out injured so Jovic takes his place up front. Inter also change a striker from their 3-0 victory away to Roma. Martinez comes in to partner Dzeko.20:50

Madrid have won each of their last three games against Inter in the Champions League, with all of them coming since the start of last season. Inter last won away to a Spanish opponent in European competition in October 2004 with a 5-1 win over Valencia. Will this storied European fixture end up with a new tale to tell?20:56

The two teams are out on the pitch in Madrid. This game will be overseen by the German referee Felix Brych.21:01

Madrid, playing in their famous all-white home kit, get this clash of European heavyweights underway! Inter are wearing their all-black away kit. It's a very aesthetically pleasing contrast.21:02

Madrid get off to a positive start. Vinicius jinks into the box from the left flank and curls a decent effort wide of the right-hand post.21:06

Inter work the ball down their left. Bastoni's speculative cross is blocked. 21:07

A loose ball bounces to Brozovic outside the box. The Croatian smacks at it with his left foot, but can't keep the volley down. It dips onto the roof of Courtois' net.22:11

Perisic slips Barella into the left of the box. The midfielder gets in behind Carvajal, who gives him a gentle tug. It's dangerous, but not enough to convince the referee to give a penalty.22:12

Madrid knock the ball around and present Carvajal with a crossing chance from the right. It's punted away by Inter's defence.21:12

Dumfries finds space down the flank and sends a cross into the air. It falls to Dzeko, who fires at goal from the centre of the box. Carvajal makes an important block to stop the Bosnian from finding the net.22:12

Rodrygo lashes into the side netting from the edge of the 18-yard box. Up the other end, Inter win the game's first corner.21:15

Inter's corner is uneventful but they still have Madrid pinned. D'Ambrosio goes for goal from outside the box, forcing Courtois to make a strong catch. The visitors have started well.21:16

Inter look to build another attack but Martinez and Bastoni aren't on the same wavelength. Inter have had 61 per cent of the ball so far.21:18

Rodrygo's ball across from the flank arrived nicely for Kroos, who made it all his own. Inter can consider themselves unlucky to be behind. They've been the better side in the opening 15 minutes or so.22:13

Kroos' goal is Madrid's 1,000th in the European Cup and the Champions League. The Spaniards' pedigree on this stage is unparalleled.21:21

Meanwhile, Inter continue their early dominance. Carvajal sticks a leg out to hand the visitors a corner. From it, Martinez heads wide and Madrid block Dzeko's follow-up. Seconds later, Martinez tries to find Barella arriving into the six-yard box, but can't get the cutback right.22:13

Martinez fires well over from inside the box and Madrid attack again. Vinicius darts into the box and befuddles Dumfries with a few stepovers before gliding into the Dutchman. It's a potential penalty call, but not enough of one to warrant a longer look from VAR.22:14

Kroos has a shot blocked from the left of the box. Perisic takes on Carvajal and hangs a cross up towards the far post with his right foot. Dzeko wins his challenge nods the ball into the arms of Courtois.22:14

Inter get another corner off Militao. Calhanoglu sends it in and Skriniar's header is off-target.21:30

It's all Inter at the moment. Brozovic shoots from outside the box and it's blocked by a Madrid defender. Calhanoglu blazes over from range.21:31

Perisic buys another corner off Carvajal. Calhanoglu's inswinger is met by Perisic at the near post and he isn't too far from finding the target. Madrid will have to be mindful of him.22:15

Inter have been impressive in this opening half hour. Even if they do finish second in Group D, no side will want to face them in the round of 16.21:34

It's another Inter corner which Militao heads out under pressure. Inter will get another try from the opposite side.21:35

Calhanoglu's ball in is deeper this time. Perisic goes for a spectacular overhead kick which whizzes over. Madrid are giving the Croatian far too much space at set pieces.21:36

Madrid remain dangerous on the break. From nothing, Carvajal sends Jovic into the box and the Serbian clips the ball over the onrushing Handanovic. Luckily for Inter, the shot floats wide of the near post into the side netting.22:16

Despite all the defending they've been having to do, Madrid look calm. Dumfries catches Mendy's foot while challenging him from behind to give away a free-kick.21:39

Perisic races onto a fantastic crossfield pass into plenty of space. The cross in isn't met by a teammate and Madrid can counter in numbers! Jovic waits in the middle for Kroos' cross, but Bastoni gets back in time to make a dramatic block.22:17

Dzeko briefly causes Madrid's centre-backs problems and lays off to the arriving Perisic. The Croatian slams his first-time shot into a Madrid defender and the hosts survive once more. There's a brief check for handball, but there's nothing to be done at that close range.22:17

Alaba hacks the ball away as Inter pour forward once again. Madrid will be pleased if they can retain their lead come half-time.21:43

Dumfries clumsily clatters into Mendy as the Frenchman shields the ball. The Dutchman helps the smiling Mendy up.21:45

Madrid hit the post! Kroos finds Rodrygo with a perfectly weighted pass on the edge of the box. The Brazilian swivels on the spot before shooting and it rebounds off the right-hand upright and back into play! Ancelotti's men were so nearly 2-0 up.21:47

There'll be just one more minute of what's been a fantastic first half. Calhanoglu hands Madrid a corner which Casemiro takes. Rodrygo gets on the end of it, but can only hit the side netting.22:19

HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 1-0 INTER21:48

On paper, this tie always looks like a proper heavyweight clash and this game has lived up to the hype so far. Inter have been well on top positionally, yet find themselves behind thanks to Kroos' scorcher. Madrid have stayed threatening and could even be further ahead had the woodwork not denied Rodrygo. More of this to come!21:57

Inter had 13 shots to Madrid's seven in the opening 45 minutes and edged the hosts in possession. That doesn't happen every week at the Bernabeu. Despite the Italians' endeavour though, Madrid have defended admirably and have been menacing on the counter. This match could swing either way.22:19

Inter make a half-time substitution. Dumfries goes off after a lacklustre first half. Dimarco replaces him.22:06

Inter get the second half going. Remember, they need to win this if they want to pip Madrid to top Group D. They won't want to let up.22:07

Barella spurns a glorious chance to give Inter an equaliser! The midfielder races into the right of the box and fizzes a shot across Courtois. He wants to see it stay on the underside of the bar but instead it whizzes just over.22:08

Casemiro is hobbling badly. Madrid's defensive midfielder may not be able to continue. For now Rodrygo's effort deflects off a defender and goes out for a Madrid corner.22:10

Kroos swings the corner in. Casemiro, who's back on the pitch, gets up enough to win the header but it's poor by his high standards.22:11

Jovic reaches the byline and earns Madrid another corner. This is a good spell for the hosts. They're having fewer attacks than Inter but they look more dangerous.22:11

Madrid's corner comes to nothing so Barella carries Inter upfield. Dimarco's cross from the left is blocked.22:12

D'Ambrosio gets the game's first yellow card for stepping on Vinicius' heel as Madrid break through midfield.22:13

Madrid have started the second half the stronger. Handanovic is called into action to stop Jovic's powerful strike before Skriniar can only stop Vinicius by tripping him.22:16

Kroos' free-kick comes out to Casemiro on the edge of the box. The Brazilian's low drive is caught by Handanovic.22:17

Inzaghi isn't happy with Inter's start to this half. They're making a triple change. Brozovic is first to go. Vidal takes his place in midfield.22:18

Dzeko is surprisingly sacrificed too by Inter. The former Barcelona forward Sanchez takes his place up front.22:19

Calhanoglu is last to leave the pitch for now. Vecino is Inter's latest addition.22:19

Sanchez has a pop at goal from outside the box. It bounces wide to the left.22:27

Carvajal's throughball is cut out and Inter look to pounce. There's a clash between Militao and Barella after the Madrid defender barges the Inter man into the advertising hoardings. Barella reacts badly and much ado about nothing ensues.22:21

Militao receives a yellow card for his barge on Barella. It was unnecessarily forceful.22:23

RED CARD FOR BARELLA! The Inter man receives his marching orders for punching Militao in the thigh as he gets up from the turf. It seems harsh but by the letter of the law, the referee's right to dismiss him.22:24

Inter being down to 10 men probably kills their chances of beating Madrid here, but we shall see. For now Vinicius darts inside from the left and shoots for the far bottom corner. He's not too far from finding it.22:27

Inter are forced to reshuffle once more following Barella's dismissal. Gagliardini fills the gap in midfield. Martinez is sacrificed.22:26

Madrid should take full control of the game now. They win a corner off D'Ambrosio which Inter manage to clear.22:28

Perisic finds Dimarco with a cross. The substitute heads towards the top left corner from a tight angle and Courtois catches the header.22:35

Rodrygo draws a routine save from Handanovic who prevents him from finding the bottom left corner. The mood of the game has changed dramatically since half-time.22:30

Madrid substitution. Camavinga will get some welcome minutes on the pitch. Casemiro makes way.22:31

Madrid briefly commit too many players forward, giving Inter some much-needed momentum. Modric calmly deals with a cross in from the left and the hosts manage to play their way out.22:32

Bastoni is the latest Inter player to incur the displeasure of the referee for sliding in on Jovic. A yellow card is his punishment.22:33

Vinicius plays a square pass to Modric who goes down from an Inter challenge right near the D. The referee isn't interested.22:34

There's no way through for Rodrygo so Inter come forward. Perisic tries his hardest to create something but Madrid have been able to keep him quiet after a lively first half.22:36

Madrid make a few more changes. Rodrygo heads off. He's replaced by Asensio.22:36

Madrid's goalscorer Kroos also heads off to applause from the home fans. Valverde is his replacement.22:36

Jovic's game is also over. Mariano is the man trusted to lead the line for Madrid for the last 10 minutes or so.22:37

Carvajal claims the assist for a very satisfying goal by Asensio. The scoreline doesn't flatter Madrid now. They've had Inter's number here, especially in this second half.22:40

Modric's shot from outside the box is blocked. The little Croatian has quietly run the show yet again for Madrid.22:43

Vinicius gets to head off early with Madrid's victory now surely in the bag. Hazard gets a runout for Madrid.22:41

How did Madrid not score there?! Carvajal nips in to reach the ball near the byline and Mariano gets caught by surprise inside the six-yard box as the full-back smuggles the ball to him. Handanovic leaps across to snuff the chance out with some help by his teammates.22:47

It feels as though Madrid are almost home and dry but there's still time for an Inter consolation goal. They nearly get one too, as Skriniar forces Courtois to catch his free header from Dimarco's cross from a corner.22:45

Inter may be 2-0 down and down to 10 men but to their credit they haven't given up yet. Carvajal wins an aerial duel with Perisic to nod the ball back to Courtois.22:47

Hazard flits this way and that to keep Madrid moving and help them wind the clock down. He's not kicked on as everyone would have hoped since he joined from Chelsea, but he's a very handy option for Madrid to have from the bench.22:50

There'll be just one more minute of this. Inter have been well beaten in the end.22:51

FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 2-0 INTER22:51

Madrid have seen off Inter to top Group D with ease. Inter put the hosts under pressure in the first half, but Ancelotti's men kept their composure and only grew in the game after Kroos' first-half strike gave them the lead. Barella's red card subdued Inter in the second half before substitute Asensio secured the win for Madrid.23:01

Madrid's victory means they've finished comfortably top of Group D in the end, winning the group by five points. Inter finish second, three points ahead of Sheriff. Madrid have improved considerably since losing to the Moldovans in September. Don't bet against them going deep into the Champions League again this season.22:58

Madrid and Inter have progressed to the Champions League round of 16, then, and Madrid will get a slightly kinder draw. Inter were second-best here but they'll still be tough opponents for whoever they face next. That's all for now. Goodbye!23:00